Soren Kierkegaard

Basic idea

Danish theologian-philosopher (1813-1855), commonly regarded as the father of existentialism. Argued that truth is subjective — what matters is how passionately and authentically one lives, not abstract system-building.

Key tenets

Soren Kierkegaard

I opened my eyes and saw the real world - and I began to laugh and I haven’t stopped since.

Meaningless

Laugh at the world’s foolishness and you’ll regret it, cry at the world’s foolishness and you’ll regret it. The ony intelligent response to life’s horror is to laugh at it

The Concept of Anxiety

Life can only be understood backwards, but made forwards. Our constant angst mean unhappiness is more or less written into the script of life.

Resources

Siblings