Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) was one of the most brilliant and prolific philosophers of the nineteenth century. Known as the father of existentialism his work crosses the boundaries of philosophy, theology, psychology, and literary criticism.

In this outstanding introduction to Kierkegaard's thought Paul Muench provides a thorough and accessible way into this cryptic and multi-faceted thinker. Comparing Kierkegaard to a modern day Socrates he unlocks the following key aspects of his thought:

• Kierkegaard's use of irony and his solution to the 'Socratic Problem'
• The relationship between Kierkegaard's use of pseudonymity and his arguments about Christianity and becoming a Christian, including his theories of 'diagnosis' and 'therapeutic treatment'
• Kierkegaard's most philosophical pseudonym, Johannes Climacus and the ideas expressed in two of Kierkegaard's most important works, Philosophical Fragments and Concluding Unscientific Postcript
• The use of fictional characters and indirect communication as a means of engaging the reader and its philosophical significance
• Kierkegaard's approach to the question of becoming a Christian
• Socratic philosophy and its compatibility with authentic Christian life

Including chapter summaries, annotated further reading and a glossary of technical terms this is an ideal introduction to Kierkegaard for anyone coming to his work for the first time. It will be essential reading for students in philosophy as well as related disciplines such as religion, theology and literature.