Kierkegaard: Fear and Trembling

In this rich and resonant work, Soren Kierkegaard reflects poetically and philosophically on the biblical story of God’s command to Abraham, that he sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of faith. Was Abraham’s proposed action morally and religiously justified or murder? Is there an absolute duty to God? Was Abraham justified in remaining silent? In pondering these questions, Kierkegaard presents faith as a paradox that cannot be understood by reason and conventional morality, and he challenges the universalist ethics and immanental philosophy of modern German idealism, especially as represented by Kant and Hegel. This volume presents the first new English translation for twenty years, by Sylvia Walsh, together with an introduction by C. Stephen Evans which examines the ethical and religious issues raised by the text.

• The first new English translation for twenty years, enhanced with explanatory notes, guide to further reading, and an introduction which places the text in its historical and philosophical context • Fear and Trembling is a core teaching text for undergraduates and graduates • Of interest to those studying religion as well as philosophy

Epigraph; Preface; Tuning up; A tribute to Abraham; Problems; Introduction; Problem 1; Problem 2; Problem 3; Epilogue.