Given the edifying and religious nature of Kierkegaard's philosophy, it seems counter-intuitive to suggest that there may be an underlying system supporting his philosophical project.
This comparative study between Plotinus (205–270AD) and Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855) is fueled by the hypothesis that that are reflections of Plotinus's metaphysic in Kierkegaard's existential dialectic. The fundamental link between these two revolutionary philosophers is their shared affirmation of the reality of transcendence, a reality that extends far beyond Plato's metaphysical horizon.
Siobhan Marie Doyle demonstrates that certain literary tools and philosophical structures, used by Kierkegaard to challenge Hegel's abstract philosophy, can be traced back to the philosophy of Plotinus. In contrast to speculative philosophy, these two innovative philosophers ensure that becoming is prioritized over being. Both Kierkegaard and Plotinus reject understanding the human being as a completed entity. Instead, they see the individual as a potentiality that is initially animated by an underlying desire to become a true self and then powered by a longing to repose in the love of God.
For both philosophers, the fundamental dynamic is both the descent from God and the enduring possibility of a spiritual and loving reunion with God. This book acknowledges that Kierkegaard restricts the highest existential level to those who struggle to enact true Christian faith. Nevertheless, Kierkegaard's goal can be construed as parallel to the telos of Plotinus' philosophy.
- 258 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
About this book
Information
Topic
PhilosophySubtopic
Ancient & Classical PhilosophyTable of contents
- Cover
- New Kierkegaard Research
- Title Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- List of Abbreviations
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Chapter 1. An Introduction to Plotinus as the First Neoplatonist
- Chapter 2. Kierkegaard and Plotinus: The Movement from Recollection to Repetition
- Chapter 3. Kierkegaard and Plotinus: The Philosophy of Self
- Chapter 4. Kierkegaard and Plotinus: The Truth of Subjectivity
- Chapter 5. Plotinus: The Three Phases of the Soul
- Chapter 6. Kierkegaard: The Three Levels of Existence
- Conclusion: Reflections of Plotinus’s Metaphysics in Kierkegaard’s Existential Philosophy
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
- About the Author
- eCopyright
Trusted by 375,005 students
Access to over 1.5 million titles for a fair monthly price.
Study more efficiently using our study tools.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cancel anytime from the Subscription tab in your account settings on the Perlego website. Your subscription will stay active until the end of your current billing period. Learn how to cancel your subscription
No, books cannot be downloaded as external files, such as PDFs, for use outside of Perlego. However, you can download books within the Perlego app for offline reading on mobile or tablet. Learn how to download books offline
Perlego offers two plans: Essential and Complete
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.5M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
We are an online textbook subscription service, where you can get access to an entire online library for less than the price of a single book per month. With over 1.5 million books across 990+ topics, we’ve got you covered! Learn about our mission
Look out for the read-aloud symbol on your next book to see if you can listen to it. The read-aloud tool reads text aloud for you, highlighting the text as it is being read. You can pause it, speed it up and slow it down. Learn more about Read Aloud
Yes! You can use the Perlego app on both iOS and Android devices to read anytime, anywhere — even offline. Perfect for commutes or when you’re on the go.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app
Yes, you can access Kierkegaard and Plotinus by Siobhan Marie Doyle in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Philosophy & Ancient & Classical Philosophy. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.