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) David
B) Moses
C) Abraham
D) Job
- 2. What aspect of Abraham’s story does Kierkegaard emphasize?
A) The suspension of the ethical
B) The establishment of a covenant
C) The following of the law
D) The pursuit of knowledge
- 3. What does Kierkegaard argue about the relationship between faith and reason?
A) Reason supersedes faith
B) Faith and reason are identical
C) Reason is essential for faith
D) Faith transcends reason
- 4. In what way is Abraham portrayed in 'Fear and Trembling'?
A) As a tragic hero
B) As a mere follower
C) As a fool
D) As a judge
- 5. What stance does Kierkegaard take regarding the ethical life?
A) It is superior to faith
B) It is irrelevant to faith
C) It is necessary but insufficient for true faith
D) It is a complete system
- 6. What does Kierkegaard argue is necessary to understand the knight of faith?
A) Historical context
B) Physical evidence
C) Only logic and reasoning
D) An understanding of the absurd
- 7. Which biblical event does Kierkegaard focus on in relation to Abraham?
A) The creation story
B) The Tower of Babel
C) The Exodus from Egypt
D) The binding of Isaac
- 8. What literary style is 'Fear and Trembling' primarily written in?
A) Philosophical essay
B) Poetry
C) Novella
D) Historical narrative
- 9. What does Kierkegaard suggest about religious belief?
A) It is universally the same
B) It is based on social traditions
C) It involves a personal relationship with God
D) It can be systematized
- 10. Kierkegaard discusses the importance of what quality in the knight of faith?
A) Tradition
B) Logic
C) Passion
D) Dispassion
- 11. What philosophical stance is Kierkegaard often associated with?
A) Utilitarianism
B) Rationalism
C) Empiricism
D) Existentialism
- 12. What type of existential perspective does Kierkegaard employ?
A) Subjective individualism
B) Empirical realism
C) Deterministic atheism
D) Objective universalism
- 13. What narrative technique does Kierkegaard primarily use in 'Fear and Trembling'?
A) Stream of consciousness
B) Indirect communication
C) Historical analysis
D) First-person narrative
- 14. What literary device does Kierkegaard employ to explore different perspectives on faith?
A) Pseudonymous authorship
B) Socratic dialogues
C) Autobiographical narrative
D) Expository essays
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