Philosophy is often presented in a dry and dull manner, but that isn’t the case when it’s delivered by narrator Mark Meadows. In this version of Kierkegaard's masterpiece, Meadows uses good pacing to give the listener an intricate treatment of the biblical story of Isaac's near sacrifice by his father, Abraham, and what this story may mean in the realm of faith in a higher power. Meadows's narration makes exploring Kierkegaard's philosophy a joy to experience, especially if one has had a difficult time getting into reading from the text directly. Meadows's British accent in this delightful production will make listeners feel as if they are reading philosophy at Oxford or Cambridge. V.B. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, theologian, and religious author interested in human psychology. He is regarded as a leading pioneer of existentialism and one of the greatest philosophers of the 19th Century.
In Fear and Trembling, Kierkegaard aimed to understand the anxiety that must have been present in Abraham when God commanded him to offer his son as a human sacrifice. Abraham had a choice to complete the task or to forget it. He resigned himself to the loss of his son, acting according to his faith. In other words, one must be willing to give up all his or her earthly possessions in infinite resignation and must also be willing to give up whatever it is that he or she loves more than God. Abraham had passed the test -- his love for God proved greater than anything else in him. And because a good and just Creator would not want a father to kill his son, God intervened at the last moment to prevent the sacrifice.
Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, theologian, and religious author interested in human psychology. He is regarded as a leading pioneer of existentialism and one of the greatest philosophers of the 19th Century.
In Fear and Trembling, Kierkegaard aimed to understand the anxiety that must have been present in Abraham when God commanded him to offer his son as a human sacrifice. Abraham had a choice to complete the task or to forget it. He resigned himself to the loss of his son, acting according to his faith. In other words, one must be willing to give up all his or her earthly possessions in infinite resignation and must also be willing to give up whatever it is that he or she loves more than God. Abraham had passed the test -- his love for God proved greater than anything else in him. And because a good and just Creator would not want a father to kill his son, God intervened at the last moment to prevent the sacrifice.