Søren Kierkegaard, a 19th-century Danish philosopher, theologian, and writer, is often regarded as the “father of existentialism.” His works, filled with passionate reflections on faith, individuality, freedom, and the nature of existence, continue to influence a wide array of fields, including philosophy, theology, literature, and psychology. Through a style that combined parables, pseudonymous characters, and philosophical essays, Kierkegaard grappled with timeless questions about how to live authentically in a world fraught with uncertainty.
In this post, we’ll explore some of Kierkegaard’s most influential works and their enduring themes.
1. Either/Or (1843)
“Either/Or” is perhaps Kierkegaard’s most famous work and one of his first major publications. Written under the pseudonyms “A” and “Judge William,” the text explores the two primary modes of life: the aesthetic and the ethical. The aesthetic life is one of sensory experience, pleasure, and immediate satisfaction, while the ethical life involves responsibility, duty, and a commitment to others. Kierkegaard doesn’t suggest one mode as superior to the other but rather challenges readers to choose their path intentionally.
Key themes:
- Choice and commitment: For Kierkegaard, living authentically requires an individual to commit to a path. In this work, he illustrates the existential weight of making significant life choices and the personal responsibility each individual bears.
- The leap of faith: Kierkegaard introduces the idea of a “leap of faith,” hinting that a true commitment to life’s path—whether aesthetic, ethical, or later, religious—requires a degree of faith, as reason alone cannot provide answers.
2. Fear and Trembling (1843)
In “Fear and Trembling,” Kierkegaard takes on the story of Abraham and Isaac, exploring the nature of faith, sacrifice, and the tension between ethics and divine command. Written under the pseudonym Johannes de Silentio, this text questions the limits of reason and ethics when confronted with absolute faith in God. The story of Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac at God’s command, serves as a powerful illustration of the “teleological suspension of the ethical,” where religious duty may require suspending conventional moral obligations.
Key themes:
- Faith and paradox: Kierkegaard examines the paradox of faith, where belief in the absurd or the impossible defies human understanding. He admires Abraham for his unwavering faith in God, which he considers a model for the “knight of faith.”
- Individual versus universal ethics: Kierkegaard confronts the complexity of following divine commands that seem to contradict societal norms. He questions whether true faith can be fully understood or validated by universal ethics.
3. The Concept of Anxiety (1844)
In “The Concept of Anxiety,” Kierkegaard introduces the idea of angst (anxiety) as a fundamental component of human freedom. He suggests that anxiety arises from the possibility of choice and the awareness of one’s freedom to act. Using the story of Adam and Eve and the original sin, Kierkegaard examines how awareness of freedom creates anxiety, or dread, which in turn makes ethical and religious decisions weighty and significant.
Key themes:
- Anxiety as a condition of freedom: For Kierkegaard, anxiety is tied to the human condition of being free to choose. Unlike fear, which is about a specific object, anxiety is an existential experience that stems from the realization of potential.
- Freedom and responsibility: Kierkegaard views anxiety as an essential part of realizing one’s responsibility in shaping one’s destiny. It is the cost of authentic, personal choice and commitment.
4. Stages on Life’s Way (1845)
“Stages on Life’s Way” is a continuation of the ideas introduced in “Either/Or” and explores three modes of existence: the aesthetic, the ethical, and the religious. Each stage represents a way of understanding and experiencing life. While the aesthetic stage focuses on pleasure and the ethical on duty, the religious stage represents a deeper commitment that transcends both. Through a fictional narrative involving characters at various life stages, Kierkegaard challenges readers to confront their beliefs, commitments, and spiritual pursuits.
Key themes:
- The journey to self-realization: The three stages Kierkegaard describes represent phases in a journey of self-realization. Each requires greater depth and understanding, culminating in a personal relationship with God.
- The religious life as ultimate commitment: Kierkegaard presents the religious life as the highest form of existence, requiring the greatest commitment and faith. This stage reflects Kierkegaard’s belief that true selfhood is found in surrender to a higher, transcendent reality.
5. Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments (1846)
In this work, written under the pseudonym Johannes Climacus, Kierkegaard critiques systematic philosophy, especially that of Hegel, which he sees as neglecting individual existence. He argues for a subjective approach to truth, emphasizing that truth is found in personal experience rather than objective analysis. This work expands on the existential theme that understanding reality requires personal engagement and cannot be reduced to abstract systems.
Key themes:
- Subjective truth: Kierkegaard argues that the most important truths are those that are personally significant. Truth, he asserts, is not merely intellectual but requires the individual’s subjective experience.
- Critique of systematization: Kierkegaard contends that life cannot be understood through abstract systems, as they fail to address the real, personal concerns of existence.
6. Works of Love (1847)
In “Works of Love,” Kierkegaard focuses on Christian love (agape) as the highest form of human relationship. Through a series of essays, he explores love’s role in the human experience, emphasizing selflessness, compassion, and the spiritual connection that binds humanity. He argues that true love is not based on romantic or self-serving desires but is a commitment to care for others unconditionally, as prescribed in Christian teachings.
Key themes:
- Christian love: Kierkegaard describes love as a duty that transcends personal interest, linking it with his concept of selflessness and humility.
- Relationship with God: Kierkegaard suggests that authentic human relationships require a connection to the divine, with love as an expression of God’s presence in human life.
Kierkegaard’s Legacy
Kierkegaard’s writings laid the groundwork for existentialism and have influenced thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre, Martin Heidegger, and Simone de Beauvoir. His emphasis on subjectivity, personal responsibility, and authenticity remains relevant to discussions of freedom, identity, and faith. Kierkegaard’s belief that life’s deepest truths must be experienced and chosen individually speaks to readers navigating the complexities of modern life.
Through his reflections on choice, faith, love, and authenticity, Kierkegaard challenges us to engage deeply with our beliefs, to make conscious decisions, and to embrace the tension between doubt and faith. In a world often fixated on objectivity and rationalism, Kierkegaard’s works remind us of the value of personal experience, of paradox, and of the search for a meaning that transcends simple answers.
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