Kierkegaard, Godly Deceiver: The Nature and Meaning of His Pseudonymous Writings
It is a rare work of philosophy that not only clarifies its subject but also places it within an intellectual and historical context. In his study of 19th-century Danish philosopher Kierkegaard, Kirmmse accomplishes both, setting a standard for others to seek. Kierkegaard is both brilliant and difficult to read. Yet when seen within the Denmark of the early 19th century, his outlook and writings become clearer, and the force and extent of his influence on his time, and on philosophy in general, is striking. This major work belongs in all academic libraries. Kierkegaard has always been considered a great ironist, and this is nowhere truer than in his pseudonymous works. Yet, his denial that these works contained a single word of his own has caused considerable misunderstanding on the part of his critics. Hartshorne attempts to clarify this problem by examining Kierkegaard's milieu. Though brief, this is a thoughtful book that serves to balance much of the misinterpretation of this major segment of Kierkegaard's writings. Recommended for all academic libraries.- Terry Skeats, Bishop's Univ . Lib., QuebecCopyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.