Known as the father of existentialism, Kierkegaard has planted the seeds that allowed existential philosophy to flourish and influence generations of great thinkers. Coming from a Christian theological background, he was a philosopher, social critic, and poet. Despite leading a life permeated by pain, Kierkegaard wrote with a sense of authenticity and profound insight that continues to resonate with his readers to this day.
The Child of a Cursed Family
Kierkegaard was born in 1813 in Denmark into a devout religious family. He was the youngest of seven children, of whom only he and his eldest brother survived. His father, Michael, was a wealthy merchant in Copenhagen. The death of his children led him to believe that his family was cursed due to the sins he committed in his youth. In particular, Michael suffered from great religious anxiety for impregnating their mother, Ane Sørensdatter Lund, out of wedlock. Ane worked as a maid in Michael’s household and they married soon after she became pregnant. Driven by extreme guilt, Michael felt subjected to the wrath of God and believed that none of his children would outlive him.
The Wisdom of an Old Man
In his personal journal, Kierkegaard wrote that he owes “everything to the wisdom of an old man and to the simplicity of a young girl”, referring to his father and his ex-fiancé Regine Olsen, respectively. Michael was a great influence on his children. Kierkegaard not only inherited from him his melancholy, but also his deep love for philosophy and devoted reverence for Christianity. Despite being a successful businessman, Michael had an introspective character.
His house was a hub for the prominent intellectuals and thinkers of his time. He hosted gatherings where philosophical and religious themes were discussed in lively conversations. Eventually, Michael retired to devote more of his time to studying philosophy, particularly the works of rationalist philosopher Christian Wolff. His commitment to philosophy and religion undoubtedly shaped Søren’s interests from a very young age.
In Between Theology and Philosophy
Kierkegaard attended the School of Civic Virtue in Klarebodeme, where he studied Greek and Latin. His classmates described him as a very conservative person who was quick to jump into heated debates. Armed by the strong philosophical and theological opinions of his father, Kierkegaard didn’t shy away from defending them against the mainstream convictions of his peers. He wasn’t initially interested in pursuing a conventional career in philosophy.
More concerned with the practical rather than the speculative side of life, Kierkegaard decided to study theology at the University of Copenhagen. His aversion towards mere speculation foreshadows his existential philosophical interest exemplified by the question: “What am I to do in life?”. Indeed, the problem of choice in light of the plurality of possibilities became central to his philosophy.
Kierkegaard, however, did eventually pursue a master’s degree in philosophy, which was equivalent to a doctorate. His thesis was titled On the Concept of Irony with Continual Reference to Socrates. During this period, he frequented Berlin to attend lectures by Friedrich Schelling, which he incorporated into his thesis. Kierkegaard didn’t want to be a philosopher in the conventional sense. Indeed, the university panel deemed his thesis too informal despite its brilliant and original insight. After graduation, he pursued the pastoral seminary program to become a priest at the Lutheran state church. Although he occasionally preached at several Churches in Copenhagen, he never pursued a career in the clergy.
The Cry of a Lover
Other than being the first existential philosopher, Kierkegaard is also most known for his tragic love story. By the age of 27, he got engaged to 18-year-old Regine Olsen. Soon afterward, he fell prey to tormenting feelings of inadequacy, believing that his deep melancholy disqualifies him from being in a ‘real relationship’. Despite Olsen’s resistance, the two ended the engagement in 1841. This traumatic event prompted Kierkegaard to delve deeper into his work. At this pivotal point in his life, he prolifically wrote many of his most celebrated books, including his magnum opus Either/Or, published in 1943.
The Philosopher of Many Names
Kierkegaard didn’t have to pursue a conventional career to make a living. Thanks to his inheritance from his father, he was able to dedicate all his time to developing and publishing his philosophical ideas. Kierkegaard was a prolific and enigmatic writer. Many of his books were published under various pseudonyms through which he expressed different, and often contradictory, perspectives than the ones in the works published under his real name.
He was often criticized as being an indeterminate thinker for not committing to a specific viewpoint, although, alternatively, he was also celebrated for the nuanced and profound complexity with which he presented his thoughts. The major themes of his works revolved around existential dilemmas, theology, authenticity, freedom, and anxiety.
The Immortal Legacy of Kierkegaard’s Life
Kierkegaard’s personal journals are regarded as “one of the most important sources for an understanding of his philosophy” (Bergmann, 1991). They not only hold autobiographical value, but also serve as a gateway to his general philosophical corpus. From a young age, Kierkegaard didn’t only write about the events of his life, but also wrote profound reflections, observations, and poetic aphorisms. Many of his most famous quotes originate from his journals rather than from his works. Kierkegaard anticipated the significance of his journals. As he wrote in December 1849, “Were I to die now the effect of my life would be exceptional; much of what I have simply jotted down carelessly in the journals would become of great importance and have a great effect”.
Kierkegaard died in 1855 at the age of 42. As he had foreseen, his writings have left a deep imprint that continues to influence and inspire people to this day. Kierkegaard is among the most relevant philosophers in the contemporary world, for his works address issues that lie at the core of many modern struggles. As the founder of the school of existentialism, he remains immortal in the hearts of all those who were touched by the fire of his genius.
