The Living Thoughts of Kierkegaard - New York Review Books Paperback | Philosophy Book for Students & Scholars | Perfect for Study, Research & Personal Enlightenment

Many years ago I read Kierkegaard’s, “Fear and Trembling” and “Repetition.” Not long after, I started, “Either,” but didn’t finish it, or, “Or.” Being much older and wiser now—the latter only hoped—I thought I’d give Kierkegaard another try. Besides, I imagined Auden’s compilation might prove more accessible. Well, it wasn’t, and it’s probably just me, but S.K. is a slog. It seems I require a translation of the translation. Not that I don’t sometimes clap my hands over some brilliant point that I’m able to understand, but more often I’m left scratching my head.Consequently, the following from “The Living Thoughts of Kierkegaard” made me smile: “Would it ever strike anyone to tax him with profundity on account of a direct statement? The decisive thing is not the statement, but the fact that is was Christ who said it; but the confusing thing is that, in order to tempt people to believe, they talk about profundity…There is no question here of racking one’s brains or philosophizing, but simply that Christ said it…”Otherwise, is it worth my trouble to read Kierkegaard, and do I get any returns on my investment? Of course it is, and of course I do! Although not always understanding, the mind stretches to reach understanding, so that when I return to something as relatively mundane as Thomas Mann, it reads easily!