52 pages • 1 hour read
Søren KierkegaardConcluding Unscientific Postscript
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1846A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Concluding Unscientific Postscript by Søren Kierkegaard, published in 1846, is a seminal work of religious philosophy arguing against Hegelian rationalism by asserting "truth is subjective." Writing as Johannes Climacus, Kierkegaard distinguishes between subjective and objective thinkers, emphasizing that true understanding of Christianity requires personal engagement and faith, not historical or intellectual proof. Kierkegaard explores how individual existence and ethical choices intertwine with religious belief, ultimately positing that genuine Christian faith is paradoxical and involves suffering as a path to eternal happiness.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Søren Kierkegaard's Concluding Unscientific Postscript receives acclaim for its profound existential insights and complex philosophical arguments. Critics appreciate its exploration of subjectivity and truth but note its dense, challenging prose. Its influential ideas on faith and individuality are praised, though some find it inaccessible due to its erudite style. Overall, a seminal but demanding read.
Who Should Read Concluding Unscientific Postscript?
Readers who relish philosophical introspection and existential analysis will appreciate Søren Kierkegaard's Concluding Unscientific Postscript. Fans of Friedrich Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra or Jean-Paul Sartre's Being and Nothingness will find similarities in its profound exploration of faith, subjectivity, and truth.