1813-1855. Danish philosopher considered to
be the founder of existentialism. Disagreeing
with the German dialectical philosopher
Hegel, he argued that no system of thought
could explain the unique experience of the
individual. He defended Christianity,
suggesting that God cannot be known through
reason, but only through a `leap of faith'.
He believed that God and exceptional
individuals were above moral laws.
Kierkegaard was born in Copenhagen, where he
spent most of his life. The son of a Jewish
merchant, he converted to Christianity in
1838, although he became hostile to the
established church and his beliefs caused
much controversy. A prolific author, his
works include Enten-Eller/Either- Or 1843,
Begrebet Angest/Concept of Dread 1844, and
Efterskrift/Post-script 1846, which summed up
much of his earlier writings.