Religion · Literature · Philosophy · 1813–1855
Born: 5 May 1813 · Died: 11 November 1855 · Age: 42
Danish philosopher and theologian of Either/Or and Fear and Trembling, widely regarded as the father of existentialism
Did you know?He wrote most of his books using various pen names to represent different philosophical perspectives.
Kierkegaard was a fierce critic of comfortable, conventional religion and of philosophy that lost sight of the individual. He argued that each person must make passionate personal choices, especially about faith, rather than simply following the crowd. His idea of the 'leap of faith' describes committing to belief without full proof. He explored anxiety and despair as central parts of human experience, long before modern psychology. Largely ignored outside Denmark in his lifetime, he later became a key inspiration for existentialist thinkers.
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard ( SORR-ən KEER-kə-gard, US also -gor; Danish:; 5 May 1813 – 11 November 1855) was a Danish philosopher, Christian theologian, poet, social critic, and religious author who is widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher.
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“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
Profile
Danish philosopher, born 1813
Søren Kierkegaard was born in Copenhagen on 5 May 1813.
He wrote Either/Or and Fear and Trembling.
He used many pen names.
He attacked the Danish state church.
Career highlights
Did you know?He broke off his engagement to Regine Olsen.
Questions people ask
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