Kierkegaard in 90 Minutes

By: Paul Strathern

Narrated by: Robert Whitfield

Kierkegaard wasn't really a philosopher in the academic sense. Yet he produced what many people expect of philosophy. He didn't write about the world, he wrote about life, about how we live and how we choose to live. His subject was the individual and his or her existence, the "existing being." In Kierkegaard's view, this purely subjective entity lay beyond the reach of reason, logic, philosophical systems, theology, or even "the pretenses of psychology." Nonetheless, it was the source of all these subjects. The branch of philosophy to which Kierkegaard gave birth has come to be known as existentialism.

In Kierkegaard in 90 Minutes, Paul Strathern offers a concise, expert account of Kierkegaard's life and ideas and explains their influence on man's struggle to understand his existence in the world.

©1996 Paul Strathern (P)2003 Blackstone Audiobooks

In 90 Minutes Series overview

If you could sum up Kierkegaard in 90 Minutes in three words, what would they be?
aka Cliff Notes

Would you recommend Kierkegaard in 90 Minutes to your friends? Why or why not?
Yes - I've listened to each book in the series about a major philosopher that is available on Audible. Strathern's books don't have the analytical depth found in Will Durant's "The Story of Philosophy" books, but he does a good job summarizing each philosopher's biography, major philosophical points, and criticisms. Additionally, Strathern's breadth is broader than Durant's in that he covers a greater number of philosophers. I believe that the time spent listening to these books has been well-spent.

My reviews for each book in the series about a philosopher are identical.

What about Robert Whitfield’s performance did you like?
Voice is clear, well-modulated, and easily understood, even at 1 1/2 speed.

Great intros

Strathern provides a straightforward introduction to Kierkegaard, blending his philosophical development with the strange emotional trials and tribulations he suffered throughout his life. Strathern does best with Kierkegaard's struggles with the meaning of existence and nothingness and makes strong connections between Kierkegaard and Hegel, particularly the former's use of the dialectic between the aesthetic and the ethical that leads to Kiergegaard's famous leap of faith and the primacy of a subjective interpretation of the world. Of course, Strathern can only skate over the surface here, but he manages to whet the listener's appetite -- and hopefully go on to read the primary material. Whitfield's reading is clear and relaxed. Recommended to anyone beginning a study of existentialism or wanting an easy introduction to a man who influenced some of the greats of the 20th century, particularly Husserl, Sartre and Heidegger.

Review

Like most of Paul Strather’s works, this book is well written and is clear in presenting the complex thoughts explored and explored in its pages.

A Good Introduction

The advanced reader who is returning to a brief summary of Kierkegaard as a refresher might be somewhat disappointed that the text doesn’t dive a bit deeper into certain aspects of the philosopher’s work. However, as introduction for the general reader to one of the giants of philosophy, this book won’t be equaled by many summaries on the market. I highly recommend the book in either text or audio format.

Kierkegaard the Weirdo

Paul Strathern goes into the basics of Kierkegaard's writings and makes him out to be a religious weirdo. He left out Berlin. Apparently, Kierkegaard went to Berlin four times and took in some of the most "wild" entertainment of the times. One of the
buildings he attended was torn down by the Nazi's in the 1930's. Several of his haunts still exist, some not. He didn't just sit around and waste his father's money like this "90 Minutes" book would imply. Kierkegaard got around more than this book tells you. It is entertaining. His relationship with his girlfriend was pretty strange.