Kierkegaard and Man's Search for Meaning - Essay Example

Kierkegaard and Mans Search for Meaning Kierkegaard born in 1813 he died at an age of 42 in 1855. He was considered as the father of Existentialism, and he said philosophy should be practical. Of what benefit is philosophy if it does not address my life? To think in existentially for Kierkegaard meant to recognize that one is faced with personal choices. Human beings find themselves constantly in an existential situation. For this reason, he described the stages of life as the movement at the self from one level of existence to another through an act.

Personal behavior according to his impulses and emotions governed by his senses, the person lives out these sought of existence. The religious stage, it is a leap of faith, and God being our fulfillment it becomes clear as we discover the adequacy of existence. God’s existence is suggested in our awareness of self-alienation and cannot be collapsed into scientific inquiry. Without risk, they are no faith and truth must be inward reality and cannot simply be grasped at cognitively. The venture chooses an objective uncertainly with passion of infinite (George 77).

Life is not primarily a quest for pleasure, as felid believed. The largest task for any person is to find meaning of life. Frank saw three possible sources of meanings in working, love and courage in difficult times. Forces beyond your control can take every thing possible expect your freedom to choose on how to respond on situations. Man, however, can live or even die for the sake of values and ideas. Statistical survey explained that 78% percent said that making money was their first goal in life.

Neurogenic neuroses do not come from conflict between drives and instincts but rather from existing problems. It is a frustration often eventuates in sexual compensation (George 67). Ultimately, man should not ask the meaning of life rather he recognizes that it is who is being asked Love is the only way to grasp another human innermost core of his personality. No one can be fully aware of every essence of another human unless he loves him. It emphasizes that is an ultimate purpose of life.Reference George, G.

Kierkegaard’s existential ethics. Michigan: stack 1977.print