Fear and Trembling by Soren Kierkegaard
- 1. Fear and Trembling, a profound philosophical work by Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, was published in 1843 under the pseudonym Johannes de Silentio. The book explores the concept of faith through the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, delving into the complexities of belief, ethics, and the individual's relationship with God. Kierkegaard contrasts the 'knight of faith' with the 'knight of infinite resignation,' illustrating the struggle and paradox of faith as one grapples with the demands of morality and divine command. The text emphasizes the idea that true faith often requires a 'teleological suspension of the ethical,' prompting readers to question the nature of sacrifice and the personal journey one must undertake to achieve a profound connection with the divine. Kierkegaard's intricate prose and layered arguments invite readers to engage with existential questions about duty, identity, and the essence of belief, making Fear and Trembling a cornerstone in existential philosophy and theology.
Who is the main biblical figure discussed in 'Fear and Trembling'?
A) Abraham
B) David
C) Moses
D) Job
- 2. What aspect of Abraham’s story does Kierkegaard emphasize?
A) The establishment of a covenant
B) The suspension of the ethical
C) The pursuit of knowledge
D) The following of the law
- 3. What does Kierkegaard argue about the relationship between faith and reason?
A) Reason supersedes faith
B) Faith transcends reason
C) Reason is essential for faith
D) Faith and reason are identical
- 4. In what way is Abraham portrayed in 'Fear and Trembling'?
A) As a mere follower
B) As a tragic hero
C) As a fool
D) As a judge
- 5. What stance does Kierkegaard take regarding the ethical life?
A) It is irrelevant to faith
B) It is necessary but insufficient for true faith
C) It is superior to faith
D) It is a complete system
- 6. What does Kierkegaard argue is necessary to understand the knight of faith?
A) Historical context
B) Only logic and reasoning
C) An understanding of the absurd
D) Physical evidence
- 7. Which biblical event does Kierkegaard focus on in relation to Abraham?
A) The creation story
B) The Tower of Babel
C) The binding of Isaac
D) The Exodus from Egypt
- 8. What literary style is 'Fear and Trembling' primarily written in?
A) Poetry
B) Philosophical essay
C) Historical narrative
D) Novella
- 9. What does Kierkegaard suggest about religious belief?
A) It can be systematized
B) It involves a personal relationship with God
C) It is universally the same
D) It is based on social traditions
- 10. Kierkegaard discusses the importance of what quality in the knight of faith?
A) Dispassion
B) Tradition
C) Passion
D) Logic
- 11. What philosophical stance is Kierkegaard often associated with?
A) Existentialism
B) Empiricism
C) Utilitarianism
D) Rationalism
- 12. What type of existential perspective does Kierkegaard employ?
A) Subjective individualism
B) Objective universalism
C) Empirical realism
D) Deterministic atheism
- 13. What narrative technique does Kierkegaard primarily use in 'Fear and Trembling'?
A) Indirect communication
B) Stream of consciousness
C) Historical analysis
D) First-person narrative
- 14. What literary device does Kierkegaard employ to explore different perspectives on faith?
A) Pseudonymous authorship
B) Expository essays
C) Autobiographical narrative
D) Socratic dialogues
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