The Sickness Unto Death (Wiseblood Classics of Philosophy)

By Søren Kierkegaard and Soren Kierkegaard

Book Overview

S?ren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) was a philosopher, theologian, satirist, and world-historical individual. In THE SICKNESS UNTO DEATH Kierkegaard unflinchingly explores the problem of despair, thereby forging a sort of Christian psychology/philosophy of the subject. "Is despair an advantage or a drawback? Regarded in a purely dialectical way it is both. If one were to stick to the abstract notion of despair, without thinking of any concrete despairer, one might say that it is an immense advantage. The possibility of this sickness is man's advantage over the beast, and this advantage distinguishes him far more essentially than the erect posture, for it implies the infinite erectness or loftiness of being spirit. The possibility of this sickness is man's advantage over the beast; to be sharply observant of this sickness constitutes the Christian's advantage over the natural man; to be healed of this sickness is the Christian's bliss."Wiseblood Books is a publishing line particularly favorable toward works of fiction, poetry, and philosophy that render truths with what Flannery O'Connor called an unyielding "realism of distances." Such works find redemption in uncanny places and people; wrestle us from the tyranny of boredom; mock the pretensions of respectability; engage the hidden mysteries of the human heart, be they sources of either violence or courage; articulate faith and doubt in their incarnate complexity; dare an unflinching gaze at human beings as "political animals"; and suffer through this world's trials without forfeiting hope. We are wide-eyed for new epiphanies of truth. Visit us at www.wisebloodbooks.com

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1490416625
• ISBN13: 9781490416625
• Release Date: June 2013
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.4" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

Sickness unto Death

The universal ethical truth, seeing others in their true light or darkness, and true faith, (not the modern version of faith) is what you will get from this read. One will come away from this extraordinary book with a realization that there is a universal truth and that the only way to fully grasp it is to put oneself totally in Gods hands, and realize that it is he not we who are in control. This book will bring about inter contemplation and seeking which will strengthen ones ability to help find ones true self. In doing so it will help you shread any vestiage of the modern faith which is devoid of seeking truth. If you want an affirmation of your true inter-self to surface then I highly recomend this book.

A transparent translation

With the many words of review of Kierkegaard, I thought a few should be written in honor of the Hongs, who have render such clear translations. Some of the difficulties of understanding SK are not because of his writing style or the nature of the concepts he was communicating, but less than poetic translations of his work. The Hongs have remedied that, so now we merely have to contend with what SK had to say. I for one am grateful for their contribution.

Getting a life

In sum, Kierkegaard shows that despair is the inability to live with oneself. We all experience depression, disappointment, and anxiety rooted in the identities we strive to establish apart from the one we were meant to have in God. Therefore, there is no greater truth to eradicate despair than this: that God has made us for relationship with Himself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Him. Only when a person relies on his perfect relationship with God, and not his imperfect relationship with his parents, his society, his friends, as the sole criterion for the worth of his soul will he find rest from despair.

Profound insight into the nature of sin

I am not a philosopher or even a literary person by any stretch, but I found this book surprisingly accessible. I believe it is essential reading for anyone dealing with despair (depression) in their lives- especially Christians. The jewel that I was able garner from this book is that faith, fundamentally, is forgoing our common senses and putting our hope in God even when all our senses and previous experiences tell us otherwise. Because with God, everything is possible.