Study of existentialism usually begins with Soren Kierkegaard, who has been named The Father of Existentialism. Who was he?
Kiekegaard was a Danish philosopher and theologian. He is now considered one of the most influential thinkers of the 19th century. Before his words brought him in the world’s conversation, he was born on May 5, 1813, in Copenhagen, Denmark. The time he was born into coincided with a movement of deep intellectual and social upheaval.
At the time, the term “existentialism” was not yet invented. He laid the groundwork for the later thought that coalesced into what we know today as existentialism. This philosophical movement placed emphasis upon individual existence, choice and freedom. Kiekegaard, in particular, showed a deep concern for the individual’s subjective experience and the search for meaning in a seemingly absurd world.
At the core of Kierkegaard’s philosophy is the concept of “existential despair.” He believed that individuals often experience a sense of alienation and anxiety due to the absurdity and uncertainty of life. To counter this despair, Kierkegaard argued for the importance of authentic, passionate engagement with life’s choices and dilemmas. He famously distinguished between the “aesthetic,” “ethical,” and “religious” stages of existence, suggesting that individuals must progress through these stages to achieve a fully realized self.
Kierkegaard’s religious thought was also a central aspect of his philosophy. He grappled with the tension between faith and reason, arguing that genuine faith required a leap beyond reason’s boundaries. This idea profoundly influenced the next class of existentialist thinkers, such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus.
He often wrote under pseudonyms, which adds a layer of complexity to studying his work. Kierkegaard wanted readers to engage with his ideas, not because they were his ideas, but because they were intriguing lines of thinking.
Today many thinkers still look to Kierkegaard, to his ideas on individuality, authenticity and the subjective experience of existential despair. His was a study of the human condition and a search for meaning. Anyone who wants to seriously study existentialism must study Soren Kierkegaard to get the essence of where the movement started.