Soren Kierkegaard was a 19th-century Danish philosopher and theologian whose writings laid the foundations for much of the modern psychology and existentialism He is often credited with being the first existentialist philosopher, having laid down the groundwork for the movement before his contemporaries such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. Central to Kierkegaard's thought is the idea that human beings are in a unique position, standing between the finite and the infinite—the temporal and the eternal—and that this position gives rise to a variety of different possibilities in how individuals lead their lives. Through his writings, Kierkegaard explores how individuals should grapple with the difficulties and complexities posed by this unique situation.
Essays on Kierkegaard can explore a wide range of topics, from exploring his philosophical works to looking at his influence on existentialist thought. Here are five of the best essay topic ideas related to Kierkegaard:
1. Kierkegaard's Concept of Anxiety: How does Kierkegaard’s concept of “anxiety”—defined as the awareness of freedom, or the sense of being confronted with “infinity”—help explain the nature of human existence?
2. The Ethical Dilemma of Authentic Choice: How does Kierkegaard's concept of “Authentic Choice” help illustrate the ethical dilemma of making decisions between good and evil?
3. The Connection between Kierkegaard and Existentialism: How did Kierkegaard's writings pave the way for the development of existentialism as a philosophical movement?
4. How Does Kierkegaard's Religious Views Inform His Philosophy: How does Kierkegaard’s Christianity inform and shape his philosophy?
5. Kierkegaard and the Infinite: How does Kierkegaard's notion of the infinite shape his understanding of the human experience? How does he view the relationship between the finite and the infinite?