Søren Kierkegaard was a 19th century Danish philosopher and
theologian, generally recognized as the first existentialist
philosopher. He bridged the gap that existed between Hegelian
philosophy and what was to become Existentialism. Kierkegaard strongly
criticized both the Hegelian philosophy of his time, and what he saw
as the empty formalities of the Danish church. Much of his work deals
with religious problems such as the nature of faith, the institution
of the Christian Church, Christian ethics and theology, and the
emotions and feelings of individuals when faced with existential
choices. Because of this, Kierkegaard's work is sometimes
characterized as Christian existentialism and existential psychology.
Since he wrote most of his early work under various pseudonyms, and
often these pseudo-authors would comment on and critique the works of
his other pseudo-authors, it can be exceedingly difficult to
distinguish between what Kierkegaard truly believed and what he was
merely arguing for as part of a pseudo-author's position. Ludwig
Wittgenstein remarked that Kierkegaard was "by far, the most profound
thinker of the nineteenth century".
Read the rest of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%B8ren_Kierkegaard
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1770:
Captain James Cook ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Barrier_Reef)
1892:
The Salvation Army's Limelight Department, one of the world's earliest
film studios, was officially established in Melbourne, Australia.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limelight_Department)
1937:
Marshall Mikhail Tukhachevsky and several senior officers of the Red
Army were convicted in the Case of Trotskyist Anti-Soviet Military
Organization, a secret trial during the Great Purge in the Soviet
Union.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_of_Trotskyist_Anti-Soviet_Military_Organi…)
1955:
More than 80 people were killed after Pierre Levegh and Lance Macklin
collided at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Mans_1955_disaster)
1963:
The University of Alabama was desegregated as Governor George Wallace
stepped aside after a stand in the schoolhouse door.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Wallace)
_____________________
Wikiquote of the day:
In small proportions we just beauties see,And in short measures life
may perfect be.~ Ben Jonson
(
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ben_Jonson)