Single Idea 22097

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 3. Angst]

Full Idea

Every human being must learn to be anxious in order that he might not perish either by never having been in anxiety or by succumbing in anxiety. Whoever has learned to be anxious in the right way has learnt the ultimate.

Gist of Idea

The ultimate in life is learning to be anxious in the right way

Source

Søren Kierkegaard (The Concept of Dread (/Anxiety) [1844], p.154), quoted by Clare Carlisle - Kierkegaard: a guide for the perplexed 5

Book Reference

Carlisle,Clare: 'Kierkegaard: guide for the perplexed' [Continuum 2006], p.100


A Reaction

I think this is the most existentialist quotation I have found in Kierkegaard. It sounds circular. You must be in anxiety because otherwise you won't be able to cope with anxiety? I suppose anxiety is facing up to his concept of truth.