Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish writer of philosophy, theology, psychology, literary criticism and more, made his mark in history as the “father of existentialism.” Born in 1813, he lived somewhat of a dull life, hardly ever leaving his hometown of Copenhagen throughout his 42 years.
Raised by a strict religious father, Kierkegaard took those beliefs with him into adulthood, often superstitious of his everyday actions. As it turns out, most of his works in literature focused on ways to relate his readers to religion and Christianity.
Kierkegaard viewed a person’s life as a “single individual,” often believing only in what is reality rather than abstract thinking, even though he was a strong supporter of faith and “the God-Man” Jesus Christ. Taking everyday life choices, Kierkegaard examined the average persons emotions and approach throughout the occurrence.
Quotes:
“A man who as a physical being is always turned toward the outside, thinking that his happiness lies outside him, finally turns inward and discovers that the source is within him.”
“Face the facts of being what you are, for that is what changes what you are.”
“God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners.”
Aren't Kietkegaard and Nietzche often compared with one another as the first existentialists? I'm not sure if they ever collaborated, but I thought this post was interesting because if they did, they still differ in opinions like that regarding the existence of God.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's because their ideas of existentialism are similar which is why they are usually compared to each other and regarded as the "fathers" of existentialism. Both of their belief and disbelief in God made them create their own new theories of how to live life, which provided to the ideas of existentialism
DeleteI don't think that Kierkegaard and Nietzche ever collaberated with once another, mostly based on the facts that Kierkegaard died when Nietzche was only ten years old, but I do see it as very likely that Nietzche viewed and diverged from his findings, creating his own thoughts and opinions on the subject.
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