Father of Existentialism and Christian Philosopher

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard stands as one of the most profound and influential thinkers of the modern era, whose radical approach to philosophy, faith, and human existence would later inspire existentialism and modern theology.

Early Life and Formation

Born in Copenhagen to a wealthy but melancholic father, Michael Pedersen Kierkegaard, Søren’s early life was profoundly shaped by his father’s intense pietistic Christianity and the weight of family tragedy. The death of five siblings and his father’s deep sense of divine punishment created an atmosphere of existential anxiety that would influence his later thought. His father’s confession of having once cursed God—the “great earthquake” of Kierkegaard’s youth—left an indelible mark on his understanding of faith and human struggle.

Education and Intellectual Development

At the University of Copenhagen, Kierkegaard studied theology, philosophy, and literature. His exposure to Hegelian philosophy and German Romanticism provided both inspiration and opposition for his later work. His dissertation, “On the Concept of Irony with Continual Reference to Socrates,” demonstrated his early mastery of philosophical analysis and his lifelong engagement with Socratic methods.

The Broken Engagement

His famous broken engagement with Regine Olsen in 1841 became a defining moment in his life and work. This painful decision, which he believed necessary for his authorial calling, became a touchstone for his exploration of faith, sacrifice, and the religious life. His statement, “If I had had faith, I would have stayed with Regine,” illuminates the complex relationship between faith and ethics in his thought.

Major Works and Pseudonyms

Kierkegaard wrote under various pseudonyms, each representing different viewpoints:

• Either/Or (1843)
  • Author: Victor Eremita
  • Aesthetic vs. ethical life
  • Theory of stages
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• Fear and Trembling (1843)
  • Author: Johannes de Silentio
  • Faith and the absurd
  • Religious suspension of the ethical
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• The Concept of Anxiety (1844)
  • Author: Vigilius Haufniensis
  • Psychology of sin and anxiety
  • Human freedom
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• Philosophical Fragments (1844)
  • Author: Johannes Climacus
  • Truth and subjectivity
  • Critique of systematic philosophy
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• Concluding Unscientific Postscript (1846)
  • Author: Johannes Climacus
  • Subjective truth
  • Critique of Hegelianism
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Philosophical Method

Kierkegaard developed a unique method of indirect communication through pseudonymous authorship. Each pseudonym represented different existential positions and life-views, allowing him to explore various perspectives without direct authorial commitment. This method emphasized the importance of personal appropriation of truth and the limitations of systematic philosophy.

Three Stages of Existence

His theory of life’s three stages—aesthetic, ethical, and religious—represents a comprehensive view of human development. The aesthetic stage focuses on immediate pleasure and artistic existence. The ethical stage embraces universal moral norms and social responsibility. The religious stage transcends both in a passionate commitment to the absolute, exemplified by faith’s leap beyond reason.

Attack on Christendom

In his final years, Kierkegaard launched a fierce attack on the Danish State Church, condemning its comfortable Christianity and institutional complacency. His journal “The Moment” criticized the merger of church and state, arguing for authentic Christianity as opposed to cultural Christianity.

The Corsair Affair

The public ridicule he endured following his conflict with the satirical journal “The Corsair” deepened his isolation and intensified his critique of the public sphere. This experience reinforced his understanding of Christian suffering and the necessity of standing alone before God.

Final Years and Death

Kierkegaard collapsed on the street in October 1855 and died shortly thereafter in Frederik’s Hospital. His death, like his life, was marked by controversy over his refusal of communion from official church representatives, consistent with his critique of established Christianity.

Legacy and Influence

Kierkegaard’s influence extends far beyond theology into philosophy, psychology, and literature. His existential analysis anticipated modern existentialism, while his psychological insights prefigured aspects of psychoanalysis. His critique of mass society and emphasis on individual existence continue to resonate in contemporary discussions.

Further Reading

• Hannay, Alastair. Kierkegaard: A Biography. Cambridge University Press, 2001. [Definitive modern biography combining historical detail with philosophical analysis]
• Garff, Joakim. Søren Kierkegaard: A Biography. Princeton University Press, 2005. [Comprehensive study of his life and cultural context]
• Walsh, Sylvia. Living Christianly: Kierkegaard’s Dialectic of Christian Existence. Penn State Press, 2005. [Analysis of his religious thought and its implications]
• Mooney, Edward F. Knights of Faith and Resignation: Reading Kierkegaard’s Fear and Trembling. SUNY Press, 1991. [Examination of key themes in Kierkegaard’s thought]
• Stewart, Jon. Kierkegaard and His Danish Contemporaries. Routledge, 2016. [Study of Kierkegaard’s intellectual and cultural context]