The treatise occupies a central place in Kierkegaard's work, being essentially at the point of convergence of his pseudonymous works and works signed by his own name, in the center and most complex conflict interweaving of his aesthetic, ethical and religious ideas. The treatise was conceived by the author as a continuation and semantic completion of "Philosophical crumbs," signed in the name of Johannes Klimakus. The style of the book is distinguished by exceptional mobility of intonation, purely artistic techniques - metaphorical and ironic writing. The publication is addressed to teachers and students, philosophers, culturologists, historians of European culture and religious thought, as well as the widest circle of readers.