Kierkegaard

Created: 2022-12-27
Status: #soil
Last Edited: 2022-12-27
Topic: people #people

Who is Søren Kierkegaard?

Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) was a Danish philosopher and theologian who is widely considered to be the father of existentialism.

He also wrote on aesthetics, psychology, ethics, and social theory.

Kierkegaard's philosophy was highly influential in the development of twentieth century thought, especially in theology, psychology and literature. His writings have been cited by authors such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Martin Heidegger, and Friedrich Nietzsche.

His famous works include Fear and Trembling, Repetition, The Sickness Unto Death and Philosophical Fragments.

What are his most significant ideas?

Kierkegaard's most significant ideas include his concept of subjectivity, which he believed to be the essential element of truth and knowledge.

He also argued for the importance of choice and freedom in human life, and his focus on the individual led him to develop a concept of existential anxiety.

Kierkegaard's emphasis on personal commitment and faith as essential components of authentic existence is also a key part of his thought.

Additionally, he wrote extensively on the concept of irony, including its use in literature and philosophy.

Who are his most significant contemporaries?

Kierkegaard's contemporaries include Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, Henrik Ibsen, and Leo Tolstoy.

His works were also heavily influenced by the works of German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Danish philosopher Hans Christian Andersen.

Kierkegaard is often compared to Nietzsche in terms of their respective approaches to philosophy, although their ideas are distinct. The key difference is that Kierkegaard’s philosophy is focused primarily on the individual, while Nietzsche’s focuses on the "will to power".

For Kierkegaard, the individual is paramount and their decisions are the determining factor in their own destiny. He is primarily concerned with developing an individual’s faith and understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
Nietzsche, on the other hand, believes that individuals are driven by a will to power which leads them to strive for greatness and dominance over others. Nietzsche also emphasizes self-overcoming as a means of achieving excellence.