> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://isubasinghe.gitbook.io/isithas-wiki/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://isubasinghe.gitbook.io/isithas-wiki/philosophy/existentialism/soren_kierkegaard.md). # Soren Kierkegaard ## Basic idea Danish theologian-philosopher (1813-1855), commonly regarded as the father of existentialism. Argued that truth is *subjective* — what matters is how passionately and authentically one lives, not abstract system-building. ## Key tenets * Three life-stages: aesthetic (pleasure), ethical (duty), religious (faith). * "Leap of faith" — religious commitment cannot be rationally justified, only chosen. * Anxiety (*Angst*) is the dizziness of freedom — the recognition of infinite possibility. * Truth is subjectivity: the authentic *how* matters more than the propositional *what*. ## Soren Kierkegaard > I opened my eyes and saw the real world - and I began to laugh and I haven't stopped since. ## Meaningless Laugh at the world's foolishness and you'll regret it, cry at the world's foolishness and you'll regret it. **The ony intelligent response to life's horror is to laugh at it** ## The Concept of Anxiety Life can only be understood backwards, but made forwards. Our constant angst mean unhappiness is more or less written into the script of life. ### Resources *