In his book “The Concept of Anxiety”, Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard explores the nature of anxiety and how it relates to the human condition. Kierkegaard posits that anxiety is not simply a feeling or emotion, but rather a fundamental quality of existence. He goes on to argue that anxiety is what allows humans to be free beings, as it is only through anxiety that we can exercise our freedom of choice.
Kierkegaard begins by discussing the etymology of the word “anxiety”. He notes that the word comes from the Latin angere, which means “to choke” or “to strangle”. He then proceeds to discuss how this physical feeling of being choked or restricted is analogous to the psychological feeling of anxiety. Kierkegaard argues that anxiety is not simply a passing feeling or emotion, but rather a deep-seated unease that is always present in human existence.
Kierkegaard goes on to say that anxiety is what allows humans to be free beings. He argues that it is only through anxiety that we can exercise our freedom of choice. This is because when we are faced with a decision, we must first experience anxiety in order to realize that we have the freedom to choose. Without anxiety, we would be slaves to our habits and desires and would never be able to act freely. Kierkegaard argues that it is only through anxiety that we can become aware of our true selves and our potential for greatness. In order to live a fulfilling life, we must learn to embrace our anxiety and use it to become the best versions of ourselves.
Finally, Kierkegaard discusses how Christianity can help us to cope with our anxieties. He argues that Christianity does not seek to eliminate anxiety, but rather to transform it into something positive. Christianity teaches us that our anxieties can be channeled into love and care for others, rather than being allowed to fester and turn into fear or resentment. Through Christ’s example, we see that it is possible to face our anxieties head-on and emerge stronger and more compassionate for it. Christianity also offers us a community of support to help us through our darkest moments. In times of anxiety, we can turn to our brothers and sisters in Christ for comfort and strength. By following Christ’s example and embracing our anxiety, we can live fuller, more abundant lives.
Soren Kierkegaard explores the nature of anxiety and how it relates to the human condition. Kierkegaard posits that anxiety is not simply a feeling or emotion, but rather a fundamental quality of existence. He goes on to argue that anxiety is what allows humans to be free beings, as it is only through anxiety that we can exercise our freedom of choice. Ultimately, Kierkegaard believes that Christianity can help us to deal with our anxieties in a healthy way by teaching us to channel them into love and care for others.