Søren Kierkegaard

Who is Søren Kierkegaard?

Søren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, theologian and cultural critic born in Copenhagen in 1813 to a wealthy and deeply religious family. Widely regarded as the father of existentialism, he explored themes of individual existence, freedom, anxiety, despair and the nature of faith. Much of his work was published under elaborate pseudonyms such as Johannes de Silentio and Victor Eremita, allowing him to present competing viewpoints. His major writings include 'Either/Or', 'Fear and Trembling', 'The Concept of Anxiety', 'The Sickness unto Death' and 'Concluding Unscientific Postscript'. He emphasised the 'leap of faith' and the subjective, personal relationship between the individual and God, sharply criticising the established Danish Church and what he saw as complacent Christianity. His famously broken engagement to Regine Olsen shaped much of his reflection on choice and commitment. Though relatively unknown outside Denmark during his lifetime, he profoundly influenced later thinkers including Heidegger, Sartre and Wittgenstein. He died in Copenhagen in 1855.

Sources: Søren Kierkegaard, 'Either/Or' (1843) · Søren Kierkegaard, 'Fear and Trembling' (1843) · Joakim Garff, 'Søren Kierkegaard: A Biography' (2005)