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Philosopher of the Heart
The Restless Life of Søren Kierkegaard
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Description
Engrossing ... Carlisle has pulled off the feat of writing a truly Kierkegaardian biography of Kierkegaard (Julian Baggini, Financial Times)
Søren Kierkegaard is now celebrated as the father of existentialism, yet his contemporaries described him as a philosopher of the heart. In the 1840s and 1850s, writings poured from his pen analysing love and suffering, courage and anxiety, religious longing and defiance. He forged a new philosophical style rooted in the inward drama of being human.
His restless creativity was spurred on by his own failures. His relationship with the young woman whom he promised to marry, then left to devote himself to writing, haunted him throughout his life. Though tormented by the pressures of celebrity, he lived amidst the crowds in Copenhagen, known by everyone but, he felt, understood by no one. When he collapsed exhausted at the age of 42, he was still pursuing the question of existence—how to be a human being in this world?
Clare Carlisle's innovative and moving biography, Philosopher of the Heart, writes Kierkegaard's remarkable life as far as possible from his own perspective, conveying what it was like to be this Socrates of Christendom. As he put it, living life forwards yet only understanding it backwards.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Philosopher of the Heart by Clare Carlisle has received praise for its lucid and riveting portrayal of Søren Kierkegaard, presenting his philosophy in an accessible manner for a broader audience. Reviewers highlight Carlisle's ability to capture Kierkegaard's personal struggles and his innovative approach to philosophy with an intimate style. The biography is noted for its thematic structure and narrative clarity, echoing Kierkegaard's own manner of writing and introspection.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780141984438
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 05 March 2020
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 20.0mm
Width: 132.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 271g
Pages: 368
About the Author
Clare Carlisle is Professor of Philosophy at King's College London. She is the author of seven books, including Spinoza's Religion, Philosopher of the Heart- The Restless Life of S ren Kierkegaard, and On Habit. She has also edited George Eliot's translation of Spinoza's Ethics. She grew up in Manchester, studied philosophy and theology at Cambridge, and now lives in Hackney.
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