Søren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, theologian, and cultural critic who is widely considered the father of existentialism. His emphasis on individual existence and religious authenticity had a lasting influence on philosophy, literature, and cultural criticism.
But how did this influential thinker meet his end?
Kierkegaard died at the young age of 42, leaving behind a legacy of philosophical ideas that wouldn’t make their full impact known until his writings were translated in the early and mid-20th century.
In this article, we’ll explore the circumstances surrounding Kierkegaard’s death and the various theories about what caused it. Join us as we delve into the life and death of one of the most important thinkers of the modern era.
How Did Kierkegaard Die
Kierkegaard’s death was shrouded in mystery, with the exact cause still a matter of debate. What is known is that he was admitted to a hospital in Copenhagen in October 1855, suffering from paralysis of the legs. He remained there for forty days, during which time he banned his brother from visiting him and refused Holy Communion from a pastor.
Despite the efforts of his friend Pastor Boesen, Kierkegaard passed away on November 11, 1855. The cause of death is still uncertain, with some suggesting tuberculosis and others proposing a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barrés syndrome.
Kierkegaard’s funeral was held in the most important church in Copenhagen, but it was not without controversy. A large crowd gathered to pay their respects, including many shabby-looking people who had pressed forward near the coffin. There were no priests in attendance except for Kierkegaard’s brother, who preached a tactful sermon to allay any animosity from the crowd.
At the cemetery, things did not go as smoothly. A relative of Kierkegaard’s claimed the right to speak at the funeral and contested the church’s right to appropriate his uncle’s body. The situation was eventually resolved, but it left a lasting impression on those who attended.
Kierkegaard’s Life And Work
Søren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, theologian, and cultural critic who lived in the 19th century. He was born in Copenhagen in 1813 and died there in 1855 at the age of 42. His life was marked by illness, including a spinal disease that likely contributed to his death.
Kierkegaard’s work focused on individual existence and the process of becoming oneself in an ethical and religious sense. He believed that genuine Christian belief required tremendous inner effort and that the churches of his day had become obstacles to this belief. His writings were meant to wake the modern world from its spiritual slumber and to emphasize the importance of authenticity, commitment, responsibility, anxiety, and dread.
Despite his prolific output, Kierkegaard had few readers outside Denmark during his lifetime. It wasn’t until after his death that his work began to gain wider recognition, thanks in part to the efforts of literary critic Georg Brandes. Today, Kierkegaard is considered the father of existentialism and has had a lasting influence on philosophy, Protestant theology, literature, and cultural criticism.
The Mysterious Circumstances Surrounding His Death
Adding to the mystery surrounding Kierkegaard’s death was his refusal of Holy Communion and his ban on his brother’s visit. Some have speculated that this was due to his fear of being buried alive, a common concern during that time period. Others have suggested that it was a sign of his rejection of organized religion.
Furthermore, Kierkegaard’s death occurred at a time when he was in the midst of a personal crisis. He had recently broken off his engagement to Regine Olsen, whom he had loved deeply but felt he could not marry due to his religious convictions. This may have contributed to his deteriorating health and mental state.
Despite the many theories surrounding Kierkegaard’s death, one thing is certain: his legacy as a pioneer of existentialism and a critic of rationalism in religion continues to inspire and challenge thinkers today.
Theories About The Cause Of Kierkegaard’s Death
As mentioned earlier, the exact cause of Kierkegaard’s death is still a matter of debate. One theory that has been proposed is that he died of tuberculosis. This theory is based on the fact that Kierkegaard suffered from lung problems throughout his life and had a persistent cough in the months leading up to his death.
Another theory that has been suggested is that Kierkegaard died of Guillain-Barrés syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause paralysis and respiratory failure. This theory is based on the fact that Kierkegaard was admitted to the hospital with paralysis of the legs, which is one of the symptoms of this disorder.
However, there are also those who believe that Kierkegaard’s death was not due to any specific illness, but rather the result of his lifelong struggle with anxiety and depression. Kierkegaard himself wrote extensively about these issues, and it is possible that they contributed to his physical decline in the months leading up to his death.
Ultimately, the cause of Kierkegaard’s death may never be definitively determined. However, what is clear is that his legacy as a philosopher, theologian, and cultural critic continues to influence and inspire people around the world today.
Was Kierkegaard Suicidal?
There is no evidence that Kierkegaard was suicidal at the time of his death. However, his philosophical work does touch on the subject of suicide as a response to existential despair. Kierkegaard’s pseudonymous author, Anti-Climacus, rejects suicide as a barrier to self-awareness and awakening. On the other hand, Wittgenstein’s diary notes suggest a different attitude towards suicide. While he largely agrees with Kierkegaard’s characterization of despair, Wittgenstein is less confident in the possibility of a leap into faith that would overcome thoughts of suicide. Despite this philosophical exploration, there is no indication that Kierkegaard himself was contemplating suicide at the time of his death. The cause of his paralysis and subsequent death remains uncertain.
The Legacy Of Kierkegaard’s Ideas
Kierkegaard’s ideas have had a lasting impact on philosophy, theology, and Western culture. He is widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher, and his work dealt with issues of how one lives as a “single individual” and the importance of personal choice and commitment. He was critical of organized religion, particularly Christianity as a state-controlled religion, and emphasized the subjective relationship between the individual and God.
Kierkegaard’s key ideas include the concept of subjective and objective truths, the knight of faith, angst, faith as a passion, and the three stages on life’s way. He believed that becoming subjective was the way to discover the meaning of life, rather than becoming objective through observation alone.
His work was initially limited to Scandinavia but was later translated into major European languages. By the mid-20th century, his thought exerted a substantial influence on philosophy, theology, and Western culture in general.
However, Kierkegaard’s ideas have also been misunderstood and caricatured as advocating a dangerously irrational and individualistic form of religious faith. This is particularly evident in his work Fear and Trembling, which discusses the biblical story of Abraham’s obedient response to God’s command to sacrifice his only son. Kierkegaard used this story to raise difficult questions about the nature and value of Christian faith.
Overall, Kierkegaard’s legacy lies in his emphasis on personal choice and commitment, subjective truth, and the importance of individual experience in understanding the world. His ideas continue to influence philosophical and theological discourse today.
