Søren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, theologian, and religious author who lived in the 19th century. Born in 1813 in Copenhagen, Denmark, Kierkegaard is considered the father of existentialism, a philosophical movement that emphasises the individual's subjective experience and the freedom of the individual to make choices.
Kierkegaard's philosophy rejected the notion of objective truth and instead argued that truth is subjective and personal. He believed that the individual must take responsibility for their own actions and choices, and that this can lead to feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. This concept, known as "angst," is one of Kierkegaard's most famous ideas.
Kierkegaard's philosophy was heavily influenced by his religious beliefs, and he often wrote about the role of faith in the individual's life. He was critical of the organised church, and argued that faith must be personal and individual.
Despite his philosophical and religious writings, Kierkegaard was not well-known during his lifetime. It was only after his death in 1855 that his ideas began to gain popularity, and he is now considered one of the most important philosophers of the 19th century.
Today, Kierkegaard's philosophy continues to be studied and discussed by philosophers and theologians around the world. His emphasis on the individual and the importance of personal choice continues to resonate with many people, and his concept of angst remains a key idea in discussions of existentialism and the human experience.
