
Kierkegaard and Plotinus
The Dialectical Movement to Absolute Love
Siobhan Marie Doyle(Author)
Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 1. October 2026
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-1-6669-5941-3 (ISBN)
Description
Given the edifying and religious nature of Kierkegaard's philosophy, it seems counter-intuitive to suggest that there may be an underlying system supporting his philosophical project.
This comparative study between Plotinus (205-270AD) and Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) is fueled by the hypothesis that that are reflections of Plotinus's metaphysic in Kierkegaard's existential dialectic. The fundamental link between these two revolutionary philosophers is their shared affirmation of the reality of transcendence, a reality that extends far beyond Plato's metaphysical horizon.
Siobhan Marie Doyle demonstrates that certain literary tools and philosophical structures, used by Kierkegaard to challenge Hegel's abstract philosophy, can be traced back to the philosophy of Plotinus. In contrast to speculative philosophy, these two innovative philosophers ensure that becoming is prioritized over being. Both Kierkegaard and Plotinus reject understanding the human being as a completed entity. Instead, they see the individual as a potentiality that is initially animated by an underlying desire to become a true self and then powered by a longing to repose in the love of God.
For both philosophers, the fundamental dynamic is both the descent from God and the enduring possibility of a spiritual and loving reunion with God. This book acknowledges that Kierkegaard restricts the highest existential level to those who struggle to enact true Christian faith. Nevertheless, Kierkegaard's goal can be construed as parallel to the telos of Plotinus' philosophy.
This comparative study between Plotinus (205-270AD) and Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) is fueled by the hypothesis that that are reflections of Plotinus's metaphysic in Kierkegaard's existential dialectic. The fundamental link between these two revolutionary philosophers is their shared affirmation of the reality of transcendence, a reality that extends far beyond Plato's metaphysical horizon.
Siobhan Marie Doyle demonstrates that certain literary tools and philosophical structures, used by Kierkegaard to challenge Hegel's abstract philosophy, can be traced back to the philosophy of Plotinus. In contrast to speculative philosophy, these two innovative philosophers ensure that becoming is prioritized over being. Both Kierkegaard and Plotinus reject understanding the human being as a completed entity. Instead, they see the individual as a potentiality that is initially animated by an underlying desire to become a true self and then powered by a longing to repose in the love of God.
For both philosophers, the fundamental dynamic is both the descent from God and the enduring possibility of a spiritual and loving reunion with God. This book acknowledges that Kierkegaard restricts the highest existential level to those who struggle to enact true Christian faith. Nevertheless, Kierkegaard's goal can be construed as parallel to the telos of Plotinus' philosophy.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
With dust jacket
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6669-5941-3 (9781666959413)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Siobhan Marie Doyle is a lecturer in ancient, moral, and educational philosophy, associated with St Nicholas Montessori College of Ireland, and has been an occasional lecturer at University College Dublin for a number of years.
Content
Abbreviations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
I: An Introduction to Plotinus as the first Neoplatonist
II: Kierkegaard and Plotinus: The Movement from Recollection to Repetition
III: Kierkegaard and Plotinus: The Philosophy of Self
IV: Kierkegaard and Plotinus: The Truth of Subjectivity
V: Plotinus: The Three Phases of the Soul
VI: Kierkegaard: The Three Levels of Existence
Conclusion: Reflections of Plotinus' Metaphysics in Kierkegaard's Existential Philosophy
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
Introduction
I: An Introduction to Plotinus as the first Neoplatonist
II: Kierkegaard and Plotinus: The Movement from Recollection to Repetition
III: Kierkegaard and Plotinus: The Philosophy of Self
IV: Kierkegaard and Plotinus: The Truth of Subjectivity
V: Plotinus: The Three Phases of the Soul
VI: Kierkegaard: The Three Levels of Existence
Conclusion: Reflections of Plotinus' Metaphysics in Kierkegaard's Existential Philosophy
Bibliography
Index