When did Søren Kierkegaard release Works of Love?
Søren Kierkegaard released Works of Love in the year 1847. This date marks a turning point in his career as he chose to publish under his own name instead of using one of his many pseudonyms.
Questions about Works of Love
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What are the three types of love defined by Søren Kierkegaard in Works of Love?
Kierkegaard distinguishes between agape, eros, and philia within the Christian framework. Agape refers to selfless divine love found in scripture while eros describes romantic or passionate attachment between individuals and philia represents affection for friends and family members.
Why did Søren Kierkegaard sign Works of Love with his real name in 1847?
The decision reflected a shift toward direct Christian instruction rather than indirect philosophical exploration. Previous works like Either/Or had appeared under fictional personas but this volume bore his real identity on the title page.
How does Søren Kierkegaard describe the style of Works of Love compared to other writings?
Kierkegaard describes these writings as Christian reflections instead of discourses. His style relies heavily on repeating key phrases throughout each paragraph to create a meditative rhythm similar to prayer or sermon delivery.
Who translated Works of Love into English first and when was that translation published?
The first English translation appeared under the name Walter Lowrie Swenson in 1972. Howard V. Hong later produced a revised version published by Princeton University Press in 1962.