“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” – Søren Kierkegaard
According to Kierkegaard, rational, objective analysis (which works backwards) can never fully grasp the reality of the present moment.
Kierkegaard’s philosophy is defined by a sharp distinction between internal reality (inwardness, subjectivity) and external reality (objectivity, the world), with a strong emphasis on the former as the seat of authentic human existence. He argued that truth is not just an objective fact to be discovered, but a subjective reality to be lived.
Kierkegaard saw Hegel’s attempts to eliminate the individual by focusing on “Absolute Spirit” as an attempt to evade the painful, personal responsibility of existing.
According to Kierkegaard, while external facts (e.g., historical events, scientific data) are important, they are “existentially indifferent.” Meaning, purpose, and faith are found only through intense inward reflection.
His thinking focuses on the “existing individual” who must navigate the tension between the finite, external world and the infinite, internal world of the spirit.
Kierkegaard viewed the external world as often hindering the development of the self. He criticized the 19th-century focus on “objectivity” and “publicity,” arguing that they promote conformity, superficiality, and a lack of passion.
This lowest level of existence is defined by immersion in the external world—chasing pleasure, sensory experiences, and novelty—which leads to boredom and despair. Anxiety and Despair are not caused by external factors alone, but by the inner conflict between the finite (body/environment) and the infinite (spirit/soul).
Despite his focus on inwardness, Kierkegaard did not completely reject the external world. He defined the human being as a synthesis of the finite (external) and the infinite (internal), along with the temporal and the eternal. The goal is to live in the world (external) while simultaneously being aware of one’s spiritual, internal existence.
Living is an ongoing series of leaps of faith. Faith requires acting in the real, uncertain world (external) based on a profound inward commitment (internal), even when it appears “absurd” to objective, rational thought.
—
I assembled the above text from AI-supported queries on Kierkegaard’s thinking on our inner and outer worlds.
I’m not sure his clear separation and opposition of the inner and outer worlds explains self-formation. I suspect the self is an emergent, porous thing that forms in the convergence of the internal and external.
The outer world is the context for self development. The inner world is where we create stories that help us make sense of the self’s place in the world.
Both the world and the self exist between AND within us.
—
Agency (主体性) + Purpose (志) + Growth (成長) + Connection (繋がり) + Contribution (貢献) = Meaning (意義)
In the space between you and me awaits all that will ever be.
人と人の間に全てのもと
Here is a link to the wikipedia link on Kierkegaard:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_Søren_Kierkegaard
© Dana Cogan, 2026, all rights reserved.