Kierkegaard and Socrates

This volume is a study of the relationship between philosophy and faith in Sren Kierkegaards Philosophical Fragments. It is also the first book to examine the role of Socrates in this body of writings and it illuminates the significance of Socrates for Kierkegaards thought in general. Jacob Howland argues that in the Fragments philosophy and faith are closely related passions. A careful examination of the role of Socrates in Fragments demonstrates that Socratic philosophical eros opens up a path to faith. At the same time the work of faith-- which holds the self together with that which transcends it the finite with the infinite and ones life in time with eternityis essentially erotic in the Socratic sense of the term. Chapters on Kierkegaards Johannes Climacus and on Platos Apology and related dialogues shed light on the Socratic character of the pseudonymous author of the Fragments and the role of the god in Socrates pursuit of wisdom. Howland also analyzes the Concluding Unscientific Postscript and Kierkegaards reflections on Socrates and Christ in his unpublished papers.