II. Introduction to a reappraisal of fear and trembling¹

Most of the English translations of Kierkegaard's writings are inaccurate on very many points. The passages I cite from his writings are my own translations from the following Danish editions: S⊘ren Kierkegaard's Samlede Vaerker, I‐XIV, ed. by A. B. Drachmann, J. L. Heiberg, and H. O. Lange, 2nd ed., Gylden‐dalske Boghandel, Nordisk Forlag, Copenhagen 1920–36. (These are the works Kierkegaard published. My footnote references to the volumes and pages of the Danish edition are given in parentheses.) S⊘ren Kierkegaards Papirer, I‐XI3 (20 volumes), ed. by P. A. Heiberg, V. Kuhr, and E. Torsting, 2nd ed., Gyl‐dendalske Boghandel, Nordisk Forlag, Copenhagen 1909–48. (These are writings by Kierkegaard which he did not publish. They contain his journals [cited as A], his manuscripts, drafts, and papers referring to his literary work [cited as B], and his reading notes and study notes [cited as C]. Most of these writings have not been translated.)

The idea of a knighthood of faith which involves a ‘teleological suspension of the ethical‘ is the most arresting feature of Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling. It amounts to a theological shock treatment. It is therefore understandable that critics and commentators who have discussed Fear and Trembling have focused their attention almost exclusively on this extreme notion of faith. Their preoccupation has been unfortunate, however.

Notes

Most of the English translations of Kierkegaard's writings are inaccurate on very many points. The passages I cite from his writings are my own translations from the following Danish editions: S⊘ren Kierkegaard's Samlede Vaerker, I‐XIV, ed. by A. B. Drachmann, J. L. Heiberg, and H. O. Lange, 2nd ed., Gylden‐dalske Boghandel, Nordisk Forlag, Copenhagen 1920–36. (These are the works Kierkegaard published. My footnote references to the volumes and pages of the Danish edition are given in parentheses.) S⊘ren Kierkegaards Papirer, I‐XI3 (20 volumes), ed. by P. A. Heiberg, V. Kuhr, and E. Torsting, 2nd ed., Gyl‐dendalske Boghandel, Nordisk Forlag, Copenhagen 1909–48. (These are writings by Kierkegaard which he did not publish. They contain his journals [cited as A], his manuscripts, drafts, and papers referring to his literary work [cited as B], and his reading notes and study notes [cited as C]. Most of these writings have not been translated.)