Søren Kierkegaard
Sign in to saveDanish theologian, philosopher, poet and social critic (1813–1855)
AI overview
Søren Kierkegaard was a Danish thinker of the 1800s who worked as a theologian, philosopher, poet, and social critic, exploring deep questions about faith, existence, and how people should live. His ideas—particularly about individual choice and personal responsibility in matters of belief—laid important groundwork for modern philosophy and continue to influence how we think about meaning and authenticity today.
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Person · Open Library
- Born
- 1813
- Died
- 1855
- Works
- 1056
Top works
- Forførerens Dagbog
- Øieblikket
- Gott ist grösser als unser Herz
- Furcht und Zittern
- Til selvprøvelse
via Open Library + Wikidata
Listeners · Last.fm
- Listeners
- 48
- Total plays
- 185
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (5 May 1813 – 11 November 1855) was a Danish philosopher, theologian, and psychologist. Kierkegaard wrote in reaction to speculative thinkers such as Niels Treschow (1751-1833) and Frederik Christian Sibbern (1785-1872). He strongly criticised both the Hegelianism of his time and what he saw as the empty formalities of the Danish National Church. Much of his philosophical work deals with the issues of how one lives, focusing <a href="https://www.last.fm/music/S%C3%B8ren+K
Works in European collections
7 objects attributed to Søren Kierkegaard, held across European museums, libraries & archives · via Europeana
Article
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (/ˈsɒrən ˈkɪərkəɡɑːrd/ SORR-ən KEER-kə-gard, US also /-ɡɔːr/ -gor; Danish: [ˈsɶːɐn ˈɔˀˌpyˀ ˈkʰiɐ̯kəˌkɒːˀ] ; 5 May 1813 – 11 November 1855) was a Danish Lutheran theologian, philosopher, poet, social critic, and religious author who is widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher. He wrote critical texts on organized religion, Christianity, morality, ethics, psychology, love, and the philosophy of religion, displaying a fondness for metaphor, irony, and parables. Much of his philosophical work deals with the issues of how one lives as a "single individual", highlighting the importance of authenticity, personal choice and commitment, and the duty to love. Kierkegaard prioritized concrete human reality over abstract thinking.
Kierkegaard's theological work focuses on Socratic Christian ethics, the institution of the Church, the differences among purely objective proofs of Christianity, the infinite qualitative distinction between man and God, and the individual's subjective relationship to the God-Man Jesus Christ, which came through faith. Much of his work deals with Christian love. He was extremely critical of the doctrine and practice of Christianity as a state-controlled religion (Caesaropapism) like the Church of Denmark. His psychological work explored the emotions and feelings of individuals when faced with life choices. Unlike Jean-Paul Sartre and the atheistic existentialism paradigm, Kierkegaard focused on Christian existentialism.