PHILOSOPHY QUESTIONS SHORT ANSWERS

FROM :Miracles and Kierkegaard

• Why does Hume express skepticism about the possibility of miracles in the past or present? Does he say they are impossible? If not, why does he seem to dismiss them anyway? Since we start reading Kierkegaard this week, you can devote threads to him as well. What does he say about the state of Christianity in his time? Does he think modern Christians are too strict or too lenient? How does his discussion of Abraham fit his critique of modern Christianity? (We will continue discussing these themes on the Kierkegaard thread, but you can start here if you want; or you can stick to Hume this week and begin your discussion of Kierkegaard next week.) 

FROM: Fear and Trembling

• Discuss major themes in Kierkegaard’s Fear and Trembling (from his dramatic re-telling of the Abraham story onward). Read carefully: Kierkegaard is a subtle, often ironic writer and, for that reason, is easily misunderstood.