409 "Fear and Trembling" (The Story of Abraham and Isaac) by Soren Kierkegaard

The History of Literature

In our last look at Søren Kierkegaard, we left our hero after he had just left the love of his life, Regine Olsen, in favor of a life devoted to God and philosophy. In this episode, Jacke looks at one of the great products of that seismic schism: Fear and Trembling, or Kierkegaard's analysis of God's command that Abraham should sacrifice his beloved son Isaac. How does Abraham's decision fit into moral and ethical principles? And if it doesn't fit, what does that mean for our society - or for Christianity itself?

Additional listening suggestions

• 405 Kierkegaard Falls in Love
• 6 Greek Tragedy - Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripedes
• 117 Machiavelli and The Prince

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