Søren Kierkegaard

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (5 May 1813 – 11 November 1855), was a 19th-century Danish philosopher and theologian, and is usually thought of as the first existentialist philosopher.

He wrote many philosophical books about faith, existence, emotions, and feeling. He disliked people who tried to make Christianity political and people who tried to limit the single individual in favour of groups of many people. Many people have found his works interesting and have said that they were great works of philosophy. Ludwig Wittgenstein, a 20th-century philosopher, thought Kierkegaard was "by far, the most profound thinker of the nineteenth century".^[1]

Life

He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. He attended Copenhagen University and earned his master's degree in 1841. During this time, he met and fell in love with Regine Olsen in 1837. Although they were engaged for a time, Kierkegaard ended the engagement in 1841.

After breaking up with Regine, he spent much of his time writing book after book, in a highly dramatic yet subtle way. He also wrote some of his works using pen names, or pseudonyms. He died in Copenhagen. Although his works were not very popular during his lifetime, after his death they became influential in the 20th century.

Works

Books by Kierkegaard. Either/Or and Fear and Trembling, both published in 1843, are thought to be especially significant.

(1841) The Concept of Irony (Om Begrebet Ironi med stadigt Hensyn til Socrates)
(1843) Either/Or (Enten - Eller)
(1843) Fear and Trembling (Frygt og Bæven)
(1843) Repetition (Gjentagelsen)
(1844) Philosophical Fragments (Philosophiske Smuler)
(1844) The Concept of Dread (Begrebet Angest)
(1845) Stages on Life's Way (Stadier paa Livets Vei)
(1846) Concluding Unscientific Postscript to The Philosophical Fragments (Afsluttende uvidenskabelig Efterskrift)
(1847) Edifying Discourses in Divers Spirits
(1847) Works of Love (Kjerlighedens Gjerninger)
(1848) Christian Discourses (Christelige Taler)
(1849) The Sickness Unto Death (Sygdommen til Døden)
(1850) Training in Christianity (Indøvelse i Christendom)

Related pages

List of Danish writers

References

↑ Creegan, Charles L. 1989. Wittgenstein and Kierkegaard: religion, individuality and philosophical method. [1] Archived 2010-08-22 at the Wayback Machine

[1] Creegan, Charles L. 1989. Wittgenstein and Kierkegaard: religion, individuality and philosophical method. [1] Archived 2010-08-22 at the Wayback Machine

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