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Philosopher of the Heart

The Restless Life of Søren Kierkegaard
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( 833 ratings, 148 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Philosopher of the Heart by Clare Carlisle delves into the life and influential thought of Søren Kierkegaard, exploring his complex relationships and spiritual journey. The biography intricately weaves Kierkegaard's philosophical ideas with his personal experiences, providing insight into the inner workings of a thinker searching for truth and meaning. Through a careful examination of his life, the book reveals how Kierkegaard’s writings continue to resonate with contemporary readers.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're intrigued by the intersection of philosophy and personal journeys, this captivating biography delves into the life and thoughts of Søren Kierkegaard, exploring his passionate quest to understand the human heart. You might find it compelling if you enjoy philosophical explorations grounded in personal narratives and historical context.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! 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.

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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.

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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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