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An examination of the subtleties of Kierkegaard's understanding of philosophical truth by one of the twentieth century's leading Kierkegaard scholars.
Paul L. Holmer (1916-2004) was one of the most significant American students of Kierkegaard of his generation. Although written in the 1950s and 1960s, Holmer's theological and philosophical engagement with Kierkegaard challenges much contemporary scholarly discussion. Unlike many, Holmer refuses reductionist readings that tie Kierkegaard to any particular "school." He likewise criticizes biographical readings of Kierkegaard, much in vogue recently, seeing Kierkegaard rather as an indirect communicator aiming at his reader's own ethical and religious capacities. Holmer also rejects popular existentialist readings of Kierkegaard, seeing him as an analyzer of concepts, while at the same time denying that he is a "crypto-analyst." In his important reading of Kierkegaard on "truth," Holmer pits Kierkegaard against those who see "truth" empirically, idealistically, or relativistically. His carefully textured account of Kierkegaard's conceptual grammar of "truth" in ethical and religious contexts addresses immediately current discussions of truth, meaning, reference, and realism versus antirealism, relativism, and hermeneutics. It will be of great interest to all interested in Kierkegaard and his importance for contemporary theology and philosophy.
Paul L. Holmer (1916-2004) was one of the most significant American students of Kierkegaard of his generation. Although written in the 1950s and 1960s, Holmer's theological and philosophical engagement with Kierkegaard challenges much contemporary scholarly discussion. Unlike many, Holmer refuses reductionist readings that tie Kierkegaard to any particular "school." He likewise criticizes biographical readings of Kierkegaard, much in vogue recently, seeing Kierkegaard rather as an indirect communicator aiming at his reader's own ethical and religious capacities. Holmer also rejects popular existentialist readings of Kierkegaard, seeing him as an analyzer of concepts, while at the same time denying that he is a "crypto-analyst." In his important reading of Kierkegaard on "truth," Holmer pits Kierkegaard against those who see "truth" empirically, idealistically, or relativistically. His carefully textured account of Kierkegaard's conceptual grammar of "truth" in ethical and religious contexts addresses immediately current discussions of truth, meaning, reference, and realism versus antirealism, relativism, and hermeneutics. It will be of great interest to all interested in Kierkegaard and his importance for contemporary theology and philosophy.
Price: $36.95
Pages: 342
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: James Clarke
Publication Date:
27 September 2012
Trim Size: 9.02 X 6.02 in
ISBN: 9780227680049
Format: Paperback
Professor Paul L. Holmer was the doyen of Kierkegaard studies for much of the later part of the twentieth century. His jargon-free writings are crisp, clear, epiphanic, and always in earnest.
— Gordon Marino, Professor of Philosophy, St Olaf College
Paul Holmer, who died in 2004, was a major figure in Kierkegaard studies in the post-war USA. This volume has been lovingly reconstructed from his papers by David Gouwens and Lee Barrett, who have done us a service in making such a significant piece of work available.
— Steven Shakespeare
Holmer occupies an eminent place in the transmission of Kierkegaard's thought in twentieth century America. This book breathes renewed breadth and depth into that influence. ... Holmer's account is always in service to both the reader and to the thought of Kierkegaard that is so admirably invigorates and crystallizes. ... this is not another book 'about Kierkegaard'; rather, this is a book that forces us to read Kierkegaard as if our lives were at stake.
— Simon D. Podmore
this too-brief summary cannot do justice to the complexities and depth of Holmer's reflective thoughts on Kierkegaard and truth ... This volume would be very helpful for anyone interested in Kierkegaard's concept of truth, his means of communicating it, and perhaps also for those looking to bridge the 'continental-analytic rift'.
— Victoria Davies
— Gordon Marino, Professor of Philosophy, St Olaf College
Paul Holmer, who died in 2004, was a major figure in Kierkegaard studies in the post-war USA. This volume has been lovingly reconstructed from his papers by David Gouwens and Lee Barrett, who have done us a service in making such a significant piece of work available.
— Steven Shakespeare
Holmer occupies an eminent place in the transmission of Kierkegaard's thought in twentieth century America. This book breathes renewed breadth and depth into that influence. ... Holmer's account is always in service to both the reader and to the thought of Kierkegaard that is so admirably invigorates and crystallizes. ... this is not another book 'about Kierkegaard'; rather, this is a book that forces us to read Kierkegaard as if our lives were at stake.
— Simon D. Podmore
this too-brief summary cannot do justice to the complexities and depth of Holmer's reflective thoughts on Kierkegaard and truth ... This volume would be very helpful for anyone interested in Kierkegaard's concept of truth, his means of communicating it, and perhaps also for those looking to bridge the 'continental-analytic rift'.
— Victoria Davies
Foreword by Stanley Hauerwas
Editors' Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Author's Preface
1 An Introduction to the Problem
2 A Glance at a Contemporary Effort in Danish Philosophy
3 A New Way of Philosophizing
4 The Bible and Christianity
5 History and the Sciences
6 Truth Is Subjectivity: Some Radical Criticisms
7 Truth Is Subjectivity: Some Logical Considerations
8 Some Epistemological Questions
9 Kierkegaard and Metaphysics
10 Kierkegaard and the Nature of Philosophy
11 Indirect Communication
12 Kierkegaard and the Sermon
13 Faith and Christianity
Afterword: Paul L. Holmer: Self-Effacing, Swaggering, Nonpareil / David Cain
Appendix - Paul L. Holmer: A Select Bibliography
Bibliography
Index of Names
Index of Subjects
Editors' Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Author's Preface
1 An Introduction to the Problem
2 A Glance at a Contemporary Effort in Danish Philosophy
3 A New Way of Philosophizing
4 The Bible and Christianity
5 History and the Sciences
6 Truth Is Subjectivity: Some Radical Criticisms
7 Truth Is Subjectivity: Some Logical Considerations
8 Some Epistemological Questions
9 Kierkegaard and Metaphysics
10 Kierkegaard and the Nature of Philosophy
11 Indirect Communication
12 Kierkegaard and the Sermon
13 Faith and Christianity
Afterword: Paul L. Holmer: Self-Effacing, Swaggering, Nonpareil / David Cain
Appendix - Paul L. Holmer: A Select Bibliography
Bibliography
Index of Names
Index of Subjects