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 | | Kierkegaard and Modern Continental Philosophy: An Introduction by Michael Weston ISBN-10: 9780415101196 ISBN-10: 0-415-10119-0 ISBN-13: 9780415101196 ISBN-13: 978-0-415-10119-6 Hardcover 1994-05-18 Routledge Find Lowest Price |
Editorials | ||
Product Description Kierkegaard and Modern Continental Philosophy provides a radical alternative to modern continental critiques of traditional philosophy. Michael Weston examines the possibility of an ethical critique of philosophy and questions the jurisdiction of philosophy over both ethics and religion. He explores Kierkegaard's writings in light of the modern continental thinking that has sought to "overcome" or "end" philosophy. Nietzsche and later thinkers such as Heidegger and Derrida challenged the metaphysical tradition in philosophy and undermined the credibility of ethics and religion. Kierkegaard's work, while acknowledged as a precursor to these developments, has been criticized for its continuing dependence on metaphysical assumptions. Weston offers a major re-assessment of Kierkegaard's philosophy and argues that its radical nature has been overlooked. He identifies the comic and ironic tone infusing Kierkegaard's work and examines the philosopher's practice of publishing under bizarre pseudonyms. Weston argues that Kierkegaard's writings engage in an ethical critique of philosophy; they identify ethics as the non-philosophical site from which philosophy can be criticized. The book demonstrates how this ethical critique applies not only to metaphysics but also to modern continental thought. | ||
Reviews | ||
Interesting but cramped This book will interest those who like Kierkegaard and wish to relate his work to that of more recent continental thinkers. Nevertheless, sensu strictu, it is unlikely that Kierkegaard - personally, would have approved of the kind of analyses which make this book 'tick.' For the most part, Kierkegaard wrote pseudonymously - so as to avoid being identified with a fixed philosophical persona upon which readers might project themselves. By bringing Kierkegaard into dialogue with other thinkers, as a kind of philosophical entity in himself, Kierkegaard is no longer able to speak as he wished to be heard, through the stratagem of using diffused voices. Needless to say, this was the price which had to be paid - to write a study of this kind. While handled sensitively, there are points where this book reads too much like a series of set lectures in philosophy, but that is hardly surprising, when the author is a lecturer in philosophy. Like Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard didn't have much time for university lecturers with their set pieces. That said, the author's endeavour to bounce Kierkegaardian ideas around in a kind of dialogue with later continental philosophers, has its merits. The inter-face between Kierkegaard and Heidegger struck me as the most problematic. It seems to have been written as if Heidegger's preoccupation with existential questions could be detached from his social philosophy (i.e. German National Socialism, with its anti-Christian stance). As a Christian, Kierkegaard would have seen Heidegger's (Nazi) social philosophy as a case of living in bad faith. Had the two philosophers met in actuality, it is unlikely that a dialogue would have followed. Heidegger turned his back on Platonism and revered Hegel. Keikegaard detested Hegel and made frequent references to Socrates and classicism. That way, they are like chalk and cheese, but you wouldn't guess that - reading this study. This book will suit people doing philosophy majors. If you want to savour Kierkegaard at his best, nothing less than the whole armoury of tricks will suffice. | ||
Nietzsche versus Kierkegaard: test your might, fight! Weston compares Kierkegaard's thought with that of later Continental Philosophers like Nietzsche, Heidegger, Derrida, Levinas (and he throws in Wittgenstein). What have here is some good, speculative fun; Nietzsche v/s Kierkegaard is something I've always wanted to read about, i.e. what if N hadn't gone nuts and had gotten the chance to read K - what would have happened? Throw different philosophers in a cage and see who wins. Well, it may be a little irresponsible, it may be speculative, but it sure is fun! I won't spoil it for you by giving the answers, but I will say two reasons why I can only give this book three stars: 1. I don't care for Weston's writing style. It is very dry. Merold Westphal is a more engaging writer. 2. I think he gets Heidegger versus Kierkegaard woefully wrong. i think Weston focuses too much on earlier Heidegger, because later Heideggers description of Gestell (the technolgocial mindset) has to deal with the possibility of the Kierkegaardian project of getting oneself alone with God. There will be little of the latter until we do better with the former. Regardless, don't let three stars turn you off, I found this to be a fun read and even though I didn't agree with all of it I certainly had some great exercises of philosophical cage fighting. Enjoy. | ||