16 Questions
What is one of Søren Kierkegaard's significant contributions to philosophy?
The concept of anxiety
What did Søren Kierkegaard believe people should focus on?
What am I to do
How did Kierkegaard view individuals who avoid anxiety and responsibility?
They lead to despair and an unrealized self
What did Kierkegaard consider an essential aspect of feeling and thinking?
Anxiety
How did Kierkegaard describe individuals' pursuit in the face of the unknown?
Pursue the greatest and most interesting aspects of the unknown
What fueled Kierkegaard's concept of anxiety?
Recognition of freedom and responsibility in the face of the unknown
What did Søren Kierkegaard believe individuals should focus on?
What am I to do
What did Kierkegaard consider a fundamental aspect of feeling and thinking?
Freedom and responsibility
According to Kierkegaard, what happens if individuals avoid anxiety and responsibility?
They fall into despair
What is one of Kierkegaard's significant contributions in philosophy?
The concept of anxiety
What is the existential feeling described by Kierkegaard as a recognition of freedom and responsibility?
Anxiety
How did Kierkegaard suggest individuals cope with anxiety and live a fulfilled life?
By pursuing passions based on subjective truth
'Life will never become less scary or more sturdy' according to Kierkegaard implies that individuals should:
Make decisions that pursue the greatest unknowns
What led to Kierkegaard's exposure to philosophical thinking at a young age?
His father's interest in philosophy
'Individuals must pursue their passions based on subjective truth' to best cope with anxiety. This implies that:
They should follow what they believe to be true and meaningful
What did Kierkegaard emphasize about the uncertainty and transience of life?
It highlights the need for pursuing passions based on subjective truth
Study Notes
- Søren Kierkegaard, a 19th-century Danish philosopher and theologian, is known as the father of Existentialism.
- Born in Copenhagen to a wealthy family, he was exposed to philosophical thinking at a young age due to his father's interest.
- Studied philosophy and theology at the University of Copenhagen but found historical and philosophical works too intellectualized.
- Believed in focusing on "what am I to do" instead of what he must know.
- At age 22, experienced a series of family tragedies that emphasized the uncertainty and transience of life.
- Wrote extensively during his mid-twenties, producing many books under various pseudonyms and his own name.
- One of Kierkegaard's most significant contributions was the concept of anxiety, an existential feeling of dread and uncertainty about existence.
- Anxiety is the recognition of freedom and responsibility in the face of the unknown and uncertainty.
- Individuals must pursue their passions based on subjective truth to best cope with anxiety and live a fulfilled life.
- Avoiding anxiety and responsibility through conformity, distractions, and addictions leads to despair and an unrealized self.
- Life will never become less scary or more sturdy; individuals should make decisions that pursue the greatest and most interesting aspects of the unknown.- Anxiety is deeply rooted in human consciousness, it is a natural response to existence.
- Anxiety is a fundamental aspect of feeling and thinking.
- We may be referred to as Homo anxietatem, or anxious man, due to the prevalence of anxiety.
- Anxiety arises from disquieting, confusing, and uncertain experiences in life.
- Access to more choices in the modern world results in more reasons for anxiety.
- Kierkegaard suggested learning to live with and through anxiety, taking leaps of faith into personal beliefs.
Explore the life and philosophy of Søren Kierkegaard, the father of Existentialism, and his concepts of anxiety, responsibility, and subjective truth. Learn how he emphasized individuality, passion, and the importance of embracing uncertainty in existence.
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