Quote: Soren Kierkegaard

 

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”

-          Soren Kierkegaard

 Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855) was a Danish philosopher, religious author and theologian who is considered to be the first existentialist philosopher, that is, the belief that the actual life of the individual is what constitutes what could be called his or her "essence" instead of there being a predetermined essence that defines what it is to be a human. Thus, human beings, though their own consciousness, create their own values and determine a meaning to their life.

Much of Kierkegaard’s philosophical work deals with the issues of how one lives as a "single individual", giving priority to concrete human reality over abstract thinking, and highlighting the importance of personal choice and commitment.

“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.”  

-          Soren Kierkegaard