Søren Kierkegaard (1813–55)

Abstract

The content of Søren Kierkegaard's philosophical and religious writings was deeply personal and often autobiographical. This chapter presents his biography first and then examines his writings. Kierkegaard was well acquainted with Hegel's philosophical and theological writings. The chapter touches upon key points on which Kierkegaard's critique of Hegelian philosophy is focused on. Kierkegaard's writings gain a particular cogency when they are interpreted against the prevailing Hegelian philosophy. Kierkegaard, unlike Hegel, saw irreconcilable contradictions in political philosophy and religious discourse that he felt could not be resolved by the mechanics of dialectical thought. Kierkegaard's published works comprise 38 works in two parallel series of pseudonymous works and signed works. Kierkegaard's writings can be read as a kind of philosophical and theological therapy. They have two simultaneous audiences: Kierkegaard himself - the autobiographical - and his “dear reader” whom he hopes to address with a message that will bring about a transformation.