The Religious Philosophy of "Johannes Climacus"

Abstract

<p>In this thesis I examine the philosophy of "Johannes Climacus", the pseudonym under whose name Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) wrote <em>Philosophical Fragments</em> (1844) and <em>Concluding Unscientific Postscript to</em> <em>Philosophical Fragments</em> (1846). I argue that these two works can only be fully understood when they are read as the works of Johannes Climacus rather than his creator, Kierkegaard. It will be shown throughout the thesis that the personality of Climacus and the philosophical positions advanced in his writings inform each other. Besides the personality of Climacus, particular attention is also given to his opposition to Hegelianism. An appreciation of Climacus' thought will be gained through an analysis of his first work, <em>Philosophical Fragments</em>, in which he attempts to demonstrate that the essential features of Christianity, such as transcendence, sin, the incarnation, and faith, are incompatible with a Hegelian world-view.</p>