The Choice You Must Make to Find the Meaning of Life | Søren Kierkegaard

Summary

Explore Søren Kierkegaard's profound philosophy that challenges us to examine the true meaning of living authentically. More than just philosophical musings, Kierkegaard's insights call for personal introspection and embrace the idea of becoming oneself as the ultimate human duty. His philosophy unfolds through three stages of existence - the aesthetic, ethical, and religious - each presenting a unique approach to living. Kierkegaard's radical individualism and critique of societal conformity urge us to find our path in the world, highlighting the anxiety and freedom that come with choice. This journey isn't just about surviving but about engaging deeply with life's possibilities.

Highlights

• Kierkegaard emphasizes the journey to becoming oneself as life's central purpose 🚀
• Existential choices define how we relate to life’s stages: aesthetic, ethical, and religious 🎢
• Faith involves a risky leap, demanding belief in the unbelievable 🎯
• Kierkegaard critiques societal norms for stifling individuality and true self-expression 💥
• Life's choices bring freedom, anxiety, and unique self-discovery 🧭

Key Takeaways

• Embrace your true self to truly live 🌟
• Aesthetic, ethical, and religious stages shape existence 🎭
• True faith demands courage and leaps into the unknown ✨
• Societal conformity hinders authenticity 🚫
• Choice brings both freedom and anxiety 🌌

Overview

In a world full of distractions, Søren Kierkegaard reminds us of the importance of inner reflection to find our true selves. His philosophy doesn't just sit comfortably in theories but urges us to look within and undertake the journey of becoming who we are meant to be. With an understanding that life isn't just about getting by, Kierkegaard's thoughts invite us to consider the significance of living authentically and making choices that resonate with our deepest being.

Kierkegaard presents life's path as a series of stages: the aesthetic, where we chase pleasure and risk despair; the ethical, where responsibility and commitment begin to form identity; and the religious, where true faith beckons us to leap into the unknown despite uncertainty. Through these spheres, he challenges us to confront our shortcomings and push towards genuine existence beyond societal norms and pressures.

The Danish philosopher critically examines the society of his time, a critique that remains relevant today. He warns against the conformity and superficiality introduced by communal living, urging us to carve our unique paths filled with conscious choices. In facing the daunting 'dizziness of freedom,' Kierkegaard shows that realizing and becoming one's true self is indeed possible, though it requires courage and a willingness to explore the vast freedom life offers.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to Søren Kierkegaard's Philosophy The chapter introduces Søren Kierkegaard's philosophy, emphasizing the limitations of theoretical and philosophical systems in addressing the fundamental questions of human existence. It highlights Kierkegaard's focus on living a genuine and authentic life, suggesting that no intellectual construct can replace the lived human experience.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Kierkegaard's Focus on Individual Reflection The chapter titled 'Kierkegaard's Focus on Individual Reflection' discusses the existential philosopher Sharon Kirkagard and his dedication to existential questions of life and individuality. Kirkagard's mission was not to formulate abstract theories but to assist individuals in introspection, urging them to confront their own existence and reflect on their personal way of being in the world. He emphasizes this approach in his text, highlighting the urgent and personal nature of his philosophical pursuits.
• 01:00 - 01:30: The Goal of Authentic Existence The chapter explores the concept of living an authentic existence, as articulated by the author. His aim was to inspire individuals to pursue a deeper, more conscious way of living, transcending common cliches like 'follow your dreams.' He perceived this pursuit as the singular and fundamental duty of being human, a perspective he passionately captured in his journal.
• 01:30 - 02:00: The Life of Søren Kierkegaard This chapter explores the life of Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, emphasizing the importance he placed on becoming oneself. The narrative highlights Kierkegaard's belief that everything else in life hinges on this singular choice. The chapter begins with a brief overview of his life, noting his birth in Copenhagen on May 5, 1813, as the youngest of seven children in a middle-class family heavily influenced by religion and a sense of guilt.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Kierkegaard's Critique of Abstract Philosophy The chapter explores Kierkegaard's critique of abstract philosophy and its insufficiency in addressing the human condition. It provides insight into the philosopher's life, characterized by a deep sense of religious introspection and spiritual turbulence, which significantly influenced his thought process. Despite studying theology and the works of Hegel, Kierkegaard remained critical of abstract systematic philosophies, likely due to his personal experiences and existential inquiries.
• 02:30 - 03:30: Personal Struggles and Heartbreak In the chapter titled 'Personal Struggles and Heartbreak', the narrator delves into the evolution of their philosophical perspective. Initially skeptical, they embraced a critical approach towards abstract systematic philosophies that attempt to interpret life as if it were a mathematical formula. The narrative emphasizes that for Kerkagard, philosophy needed to be intertwined with the tangible aspects of life—such as fear, choice, doubt, and regret—rather than being purely theoretical. This viewpoint underscores the importance of philosophy as a means to navigate through personal pain and existential challenges.
• 03:30 - 04:30: Kierkegaard's Prolific Writing Period In 'Kierkegaard's Prolific Writing Period', the chapter delves into a pivotal moment in the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard's life, focusing on his broken engagement with Reene Olsen. At 27, Kierkegaard became engaged to the 18-year-old Reene, but called off the engagement after a few months, leaving a trail of confusion and heartbreak. The reasons for his decision remained largely undisclosed, though his journals suggest deeper, more personal struggles. This silence became a defining aspect of his life and work.
• 04:30 - 06:00: Stages of Existence: Aesthetic Stage This chapter delves into the concept of the Aesthetic Stage of existence as posited by philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. It focuses on personal anecdotes, particularly Kierkegaard's own romantic experiences, highlighting his insecurities and perceived inadequacies in making a woman happy. These feelings are embodied in his relationship with Rejene, a woman he loved but ultimately could not commit to, leading her to marry someone else while Kierkegaard stayed emotionally attached to her. The chapter reflects on the emotional turmoil and existential struggles faced during the aesthetic stage, characterized by a pursuit of personal pleasure and superficial emotions without deeper commitment or ethical considerations.
• 06:00 - 08:00: Stages of Existence: Ethical Stage The chapter titled 'Stages of Existence: Ethical Stage' describes a man who, after experiencing heartbreak, enters a prolific period of writing. Despite the impossibility of a past love, he manifests his feelings by bequeathing all his possessions to her in his will. He uses his father's inheritance to sustain himself while observing life in Copenhagen and producing significant philosophical works.
• 08:00 - 10:00: Stages of Existence: Religious Stage This chapter discusses Soren Kierkegaard's publication of foundational philosophical texts, emphasizing his strategy of using pseudonyms. Kierkegaard's intention was not to prescribe fixed truths but to encourage individual thought and self-discovery. His approach was to provoke critical thinking, enabling readers to find their own way rather than imposing direct teachings.
• 10:00 - 12:30: Kierkegaard's Radical Individualism In 'Kierkegaard's Radical Individualism,' the chapter explores the core of Kierkegaard's philosophy, which emphasizes the significance of individual choice in the way one lives. Kierkegaard challenges individuals to actively choose their path in life, suggesting that existence itself hinges on the decisions one makes. The chapter introduces the concept of three fundamental stages of living, illustrating the conflicting possibilities one must confront to shape their existence.
• 12:30 - 13:30: Kierkegaard's Legacy The chapter titled 'Kierkegaard's Legacy' delves into existential philosophy, particularly focusing on the concept of the aesthetic stage of life. This stage is characterized by a pursuit of pleasure, emotion, and constant stimulation. However, beneath this pursuit lies a hidden emptiness that eventually surfaces. Don Giovanni is presented as an exemplary figure within this stage, embodying the relentless yet ultimately fruitless chase for pleasure.

The Choice You Must Make to Find the Meaning of Life | Søren Kierkegaard Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 No theory, no matter how brilliant, can save us from the most uncomfortable and inevitable truth. Being human with everything that comes with it. And no philosophical system, not even the most refined, can truly answer the questions that matter most. How can one live well? How can one lead a life truly worth living? We're talking about a genuine authentic
• 00:30 - 01:00 life, not just survival disguised as normality. Sharon Kirkagard dedicated many of his works to these very questions. He wasn't interested in building abstract theories. His mission was far more urgent and personal to help each individual look inward, confront themselves, and reflect on their way of being in the world. He made it crystal clear in one of his most direct texts, the point of view of my work as an
• 01:00 - 01:30 author. His goal was to awaken the individual to lead them toward a deeper, more conscious existence, a life fully lived. And he wasn't talking about the usual follow your dreams cliche. He meant something far more radical, a task he believed was the only true duty of being human. He even wrote it in his journal with words that still strike right at the core. The only duty of man
• 01:30 - 02:00 is to become himself. In this video, we dive into what it really means to become yourself and why according to him everything else depends on this one choice. Let's begin by taking a quick look at his life. Sirin Abia Kirkagard was born in Copenhagen on May 5th, 1813. the youngest of seven children into a middle-class family marked by religion and guilt. His father was a somber,
• 02:00 - 02:30 deeply devout man, haunted by a sense of divine punishment, convinced that the misfortunes of life were the result of some past sin. That dark atmosphere filled with silence, strict religious discipline, and deep introspection shaped young Sharon into one of the most radical thinkers of his time. In 1830 he enrolled in the faculty of theology at the University of Copenhagen. He studied philosophy read Hegel but never embraced
• 02:30 - 03:00 his thinking. On the contrary over time he developed a sharp critique of that systematic abstract philosophy that tries to explain life from a distance as if it were a mathematical formula. For Kerkagard, thought had to remain anchored to real life, to fear, to choice, to doubt, to regret. Philosophy for him wasn't about theory, but a way of moving through pain and trying to
• 03:00 - 03:30 make sense of one's existence. At the age of 27, he became engaged to Reene Olsen, a brilliant young woman of just 18. But only a few months later, he broke off the engagement without giving any clear explanation, leaving behind confusion and heartbreak. The true reasons behind his decision were never fully revealed, and the silence surrounding the event became part of his destiny. In his journals, he hints that because of his
• 03:30 - 04:00 melancholic and tormented nature, he never felt capable of making a woman truly happy. He wrote, "Whatever I might be capable of, I am not capable of making a girl happy." A sentence that reveals a deep sense of inadequacy, but also the awareness that love in order to work needs a presence he felt he couldn't offer. Rejene would eventually marry another man, but Kirkagard remained emotionally tied to her for the
• 04:00 - 04:30 rest of his life. He even left her all of his possessions in his will. a gesture that showed how real that love still was for him, even if it had become impossible. After this heartbreak, he entered the most prolific period of his writing. Living off the inheritance from his father, he spent his days walking the streets of Copenhagen, observing people, thinking, and writing some of the most important works in modern philosophy.
• 04:30 - 05:00 In just a few years, he published foundational texts including either or out, the official starting point of his ambitious philosophical project and one of the most influential books in modern thought. Many of these works were published under pseudonyms, a strategy meant to avoid imposing a fixed truth on the reader. Instead, Kirkagard wanted to provoke thought, to lead others to find their own way. He didn't want to teach
• 05:00 - 05:30 people how to live. He wanted to challenge them to choose because living in his eyes is always a matter of choice. At the heart of his philosophy is an idea as simple as it is profound. To exist means choosing how to exist. And to do that, one must face a range of conflicting possibilities. Kirkagard describes three fundamental ways of living, three stages of existence. which are not just
• 05:30 - 06:00 abstract categories but concrete ways people relate to life. The first is the aesthetic stage. This is a way of living centered on pleasure, emotion and the constant search for stimulation. The aesthetic in whatever seems interesting. But in this chase for pleasure, an emptiness hides, one that eventually comes to the surface. Don Giovani, the
• 06:00 - 06:30 symbol of this lifestyle, perfectly embodies this escape. He seduces, conquers, and then quickly grows bored and starts over again. Every conquest is followed by a fresh wave of dissatisfaction. In this stage, boredom is the warning sign, an indication that something is wrong, that one is slowly sliding into despair. Here, Kagard writes, "Despair is the sickness unto death. A kind of
• 06:30 - 07:00 suffering that doesn't kill the body, but eats away at the soul day after day. The problem of the athlete isn't immorality. It's a lack of depth. He lives on the surface, never taking himself or others seriously. His life may seem full, but it is actually hollow and devoid of meaning. The second stage is the ethical stage. Here, life is no longer an escape, but a commitment. Ethics is not
• 07:00 - 07:30 about rigid morality. It's about consciously choosing to live responsibly. The figure of the husband perfectly represents this mindset. He chooses every day to be faithful, to work, to care for his family, not because he's forced to, but because he understands that identity is built through actions. The ethical person accepts the weight of their existence and tries to shape it into something
• 07:30 - 08:00 coherent. Kirkagard speaks of the choice of the self, an act through which the individual takes responsibility not only for who they are but for who they could become. And yet even this stage is not free from shadows. The ethical individual still struggles with guilt and the burden of sin. He knows he cannot achieve perfection and this realization forces him to confront his limitations. Repentance then becomes a sign of his
• 08:00 - 08:30 awareness but also the doorway to a deeper transformation. The third stage is the religious stage and this is where Kirkagard surprises everyone. For him true religious life has nothing to do with convention, social rituals or surface level faith. Faith is not something inherited. It's a risk that must be taken. He uses the figure of Abraham willing to sacrifice his son
• 08:30 - 09:00 Isaac in obedience to God's command. A terrifying act that challenges every ethical principle, every form of reason, every sense of decency. And yet, it is precisely in this leap into the absurd that true faith reveals itself. Kirkagard calls this a paradox because it demands believing in the unbelievable. trusting in God even when everything appears senseless. This kind of life is
• 09:00 - 09:30 solitary, scandalous, and incomprehensible to the world. But for Kirkagard, it's the only true way to relate to the absolute. Faith then is not a source of comfort. It's a trial. It doesn't offer certainty. It demands courage. Kirkagard writes, "Believe or despair. There is no middle ground. Faith is a leap, a leap into the void. And only those willing to take it can truly overcome anxiety and despair.
• 09:30 - 10:00 Faith, as Bla Pascal once said, is a wager. One can choose not to believe, but in doing so remains trapped within the limits of human finitude. Or one can decide to leap, carrying the full weight of doubt, into the mystery that is God. One of the most fascinating aspects of Kerkugard's thought is his radical individualism. Truth in his eyes is not
• 10:00 - 10:30 found in crowds nor in doctrines imposed from above. It's something each person must fight for within themselves facing their existential questions alone. The crowd by contrast is a threat to authenticity. Kirkagard criticized the society of his time as flat, apathetic, and dominated by conformity. A critique that feels shockingly relevant today. He already spoke of a leveling effect caused by
• 10:30 - 11:00 newspapers, which today could easily be applied to social media, algorithms, and the digital sameness that erases individuality. To him, being human is not a fixed condition. It's a task. Freedom is not just the ability to choose, but the courage to carry the weight of those choices. And that's exactly where anxiety comes from. The realization that nothing is written in advance, that every path is open, but
• 11:00 - 11:30 none are certain. He once wrote, "Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom." That moment when one looks deep within and discovers that everything is possible, but nothing is promised. And it is precisely this that makes every life unique, unre repeatable, irreducible to any formula. Cernin Kirkagard died on November 11th, 1855 at the age of 42. He wasn't famous, held no academic
• 11:30 - 12:00 titles, and wasn't followed by the masses. Yet his thought changed the way we look at human existence and it continues to resonate deeply with those who feel that life isn't just about surviving but about taking a stand, suffering, and choosing. Maybe the hardest part of life isn't figuring out who we are, but finding the courage to actually be it. And so I ask myself, how many people go
• 12:00 - 12:30 through life without ever reaching themselves? And what is left in the end of a life only half-lived?