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Kierkegaard's Philosophy: Self Deception and Cowardice in the Present Age
Some philosophers we read to discover the nature of the universe. Others we read to discover the nature of ourselves. In the second group, Soren Kierkegaard stands alone as a towering figure, a man who revolutionized our concept of the human condition. His insights go to the core of the dilemmas that haunt the modern mind and spirit. This clear and enlightening study provides a fascinating analysis of Kierkegaard's thinking and its practical applications. The reader comes in contact with a vision of perils and potential of individual existence that is far more profound than the shallow questions and easy answers offered by the swarm of contemporary "self-help" panaceas. The book leaves one with a realization of the vast depths that lie within us, and of the daring and determination it takes to explore them in order to become all that a human being can and should be. This edition was published in 1981 by NAL Penguin Inc.
- GenresPhilosophyNonfiction
188 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 10, 2020
Kierkegaard wrote in a way that makes him impossible to judge objectively, at least until one has read him subjectively. He forces his readers to be authentic, that is, honest with themselves, before they can understand him in an objective way. And then they might, as I did, understand him part of the way. Mullen's book helped me to understand why I was only getting part of the way. Some of it was my youth and inexperience when I first read Kierkegaard (and it was a lot of Kierkegaard) but most of it was my inability to commit to something that I'm still ambivalent about.
The most interesting thing about Kierkegaard is that he is a religious author who does not preach. Most of what he writes sounds like thinly veiled diatribes against Hegelianism, or long fanciful stories of strong personalities penned in an ironic vein. He always seems to be saying something without saying it, which invites interpretation. Taken in the wrong spirit, that invitation is a trap door. If you're not ready to hear what he has to say, you'll hear something else, or you'll hear only the part you want to hear. He doesn't want to tell you. He wants to lead you to a place where you'll hear it for yourself without his telling you.
Which is why an exegesis doesn't work for Kierkegaard. John Mullen knows this, so instead of a barren explanation he has given us a Michelin's Guide (as he puts it) to the territory. It's necessary to know something about Hegelian dialectic, and romanticism, and the social-historical context in which Kierkegaard wrote. It's nice to know why he wrote under pseudonyms. It's helpful that half of the book is an "application" of what the first half puts in context. And read carefully, the shadow of Kierkegaard's spirit emerges at the end. It's a masterful achievement, because Kiekegaard is an elusive spirit. I'm not sure I would have seen any of this if I didn't still have vague memories of all the Kierkegaard I read many years ago, but with that liminal familiarity I think I can take up where I left off. Maybe this time with better results.
The most interesting thing about Kierkegaard is that he is a religious author who does not preach. Most of what he writes sounds like thinly veiled diatribes against Hegelianism, or long fanciful stories of strong personalities penned in an ironic vein. He always seems to be saying something without saying it, which invites interpretation. Taken in the wrong spirit, that invitation is a trap door. If you're not ready to hear what he has to say, you'll hear something else, or you'll hear only the part you want to hear. He doesn't want to tell you. He wants to lead you to a place where you'll hear it for yourself without his telling you.
Which is why an exegesis doesn't work for Kierkegaard. John Mullen knows this, so instead of a barren explanation he has given us a Michelin's Guide (as he puts it) to the territory. It's necessary to know something about Hegelian dialectic, and romanticism, and the social-historical context in which Kierkegaard wrote. It's nice to know why he wrote under pseudonyms. It's helpful that half of the book is an "application" of what the first half puts in context. And read carefully, the shadow of Kierkegaard's spirit emerges at the end. It's a masterful achievement, because Kiekegaard is an elusive spirit. I'm not sure I would have seen any of this if I didn't still have vague memories of all the Kierkegaard I read many years ago, but with that liminal familiarity I think I can take up where I left off. Maybe this time with better results.
April 2, 2024
“Any other life is self-deception. To live in self-deception is to be double-minded, to be turned in against oneself, to have more than one will. Purity of heart is to will one thing. The argument of Climacus, and of Kierkegaard in Purity of Heart, is that only a religious exister, one who wills the Eternal-makes the Eternal his absolute telos-can escape double-mindedness. Man cannot live in the secular only and escape from self-deception or despair.�
Such a good introductory book
Such a good introductory book
December 27, 2022
Wow! One of the best books I've read in a while. Very thought provoking, and makes me want to read more Kierkegaard.
"Purity of heart is to will one thing"
There are so many parts of this book where I thought the author was describing things I had thought myself and many other parts where he seemed prophetic, writing almost 40 years ago.
Why do we think that we shouldn't be anxious? Maybe not being anxious means you're not paying attention - not fully human. To be human is to be aware of an internal tension that is unavoidable - in fact numerous dialectics - we are aware of our physical limitations, but feel a longing or sense of the eternal for example.
"Purity of heart is to will one thing"
There are so many parts of this book where I thought the author was describing things I had thought myself and many other parts where he seemed prophetic, writing almost 40 years ago.
Why do we think that we shouldn't be anxious? Maybe not being anxious means you're not paying attention - not fully human. To be human is to be aware of an internal tension that is unavoidable - in fact numerous dialectics - we are aware of our physical limitations, but feel a longing or sense of the eternal for example.
May 11, 2023
Need to finish but I left the book in Ottawa.
Got book back Ty to yusef. Great introduction. Going to read either/or shortly. Fundamental to reorienting irony within my life was Lewis and Kierkegaard. The breakdown of the secular aesthetic and ethical modes of being were sublime. Profound perspective on the concepts of boredom, misery and resignation. Existentialism should have ended with him no need for a Frenchmen (or women!) to clutter up the field. Watch seventh seal, embrace the dread, and transform from the inside out.
Got book back Ty to yusef. Great introduction. Going to read either/or shortly. Fundamental to reorienting irony within my life was Lewis and Kierkegaard. The breakdown of the secular aesthetic and ethical modes of being were sublime. Profound perspective on the concepts of boredom, misery and resignation. Existentialism should have ended with him no need for a Frenchmen (or women!) to clutter up the field. Watch seventh seal, embrace the dread, and transform from the inside out.
March 21, 2025
Strong introduction to Kierkegaard’s ideas and his third way of being. Anxiety is not only inescapable, it’s to be embraced if one wants to live an authentic life. All of the strategies to escape anxiety are hollow and lead to bad faith. Will read more
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November 23, 2019This is a great little book. It really gets into the nitty-gritties of Kierkegaard's work.
May 1, 2025
"The Self is not a static entity, but a task, an obligation"
Through the lens John D. Mullen we get to see an insight to Kierkegaard's philosophy; not in its entirety but more-so laid out in a way akin to an adventurers map. This book does not claim nor tries to make complete sense of Kierkegaard's philosophy but merely lays down the groundwork and context for his way of thinking. To summarize what I was able to understand from the book, Kierkegaard posits that Anxiety is a natural and essential part of human life. To be rid of it entirely is to rid life of its luster and appeal that allows us to keep engaging in the world with bated breath. Kierkegaard is of the opinion that to be an actualized individual (That is, to be one's "Self") is to fight the temptation to turn away from the reality of the circumstances that you face.
More often than not we see in our modern age the tendency individuals have to turn away from the "Inwardness" of themselves in favor of external pleasures and pursuits. The turning away from this "Inwardness" is, from how I was able to interpret it, an abandonment of a fundamental aspect of your own humanity. To face such a thing requires an immense amount of courage and strength since such a task is riddled with anxiety, but such a labor is essential to realize one's self as someone who is entirely individual. To stand tall with broad shoulders proclaiming "I am, myself" requires one to have faced the inward turmoil that they experience regularly and to welcome it with open arms as a part of their lived experience.
Mullen provides a great number of books to read to further one's understanding about Kierkegaard's philosophy and this book stands akin to a signpost that allows you to delve into his philosophy armed with a better understanding of the overall message. Though I don't see myself returning to Kierkegaard in the near future, I am glad to know that should I choose to dive deep into his works this book will act as my guide. Anyone who is interested in Kierkegaard's Philosophy should definitely give this book a read.
Strong 4.5/5
.5 taken cause the text font was a pain to read in my experience.
Through the lens John D. Mullen we get to see an insight to Kierkegaard's philosophy; not in its entirety but more-so laid out in a way akin to an adventurers map. This book does not claim nor tries to make complete sense of Kierkegaard's philosophy but merely lays down the groundwork and context for his way of thinking. To summarize what I was able to understand from the book, Kierkegaard posits that Anxiety is a natural and essential part of human life. To be rid of it entirely is to rid life of its luster and appeal that allows us to keep engaging in the world with bated breath. Kierkegaard is of the opinion that to be an actualized individual (That is, to be one's "Self") is to fight the temptation to turn away from the reality of the circumstances that you face.
More often than not we see in our modern age the tendency individuals have to turn away from the "Inwardness" of themselves in favor of external pleasures and pursuits. The turning away from this "Inwardness" is, from how I was able to interpret it, an abandonment of a fundamental aspect of your own humanity. To face such a thing requires an immense amount of courage and strength since such a task is riddled with anxiety, but such a labor is essential to realize one's self as someone who is entirely individual. To stand tall with broad shoulders proclaiming "I am, myself" requires one to have faced the inward turmoil that they experience regularly and to welcome it with open arms as a part of their lived experience.
Mullen provides a great number of books to read to further one's understanding about Kierkegaard's philosophy and this book stands akin to a signpost that allows you to delve into his philosophy armed with a better understanding of the overall message. Though I don't see myself returning to Kierkegaard in the near future, I am glad to know that should I choose to dive deep into his works this book will act as my guide. Anyone who is interested in Kierkegaard's Philosophy should definitely give this book a read.
Strong 4.5/5
.5 taken cause the text font was a pain to read in my experience.
July 7, 2021
Great introduction to Kierkegaard's philosophy - provides a background for reading Kierkegaard.
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