The Sickness Unto Death: A Modern Translation for the 21st Century

Søren Kierkegaard, often considered the "father of existentialism," was a 19th-century Danish philosopher, theologian, and author whose work profoundly shaped modern philosophy, psychology, and religious thought. Born in Copenhagen on May 5, 1813, Kierkegaard was the youngest of seven children in a deeply religious household. His father, Michael Pedersen Kierkegaard, was a stern figure whose influence loomed large over Søren's early life, instilling both a profound sense of spirituality and a deep-seated guilt. The impact of his father's strict pietism and the early deaths of many of Søren's siblings contributed to the themes of anxiety, despair, and faith that permeated his later writings.

A dramatic personal event significantly marked Kierkegaard’s philosophical journey—his broken engagement with Regine Olsen. In 1840, Kierkegaard proposed to Regine, but later ended the engagement, a decision that would haunt him for the rest of his life. He felt that his complex inner life and devotion to his philosophical pursuits made marriage impossible. This episode became a catalyst for much of his writing on love, sacrifice, and the tension between individual desires and higher purpose. Despite the break, Regine would remain a muse and a central figure in his life, often symbolising the ideal of unattainable love in his works.

Kierkegaard's writings focused on themes of individuality, freedom, faith, and the human condition. His book The Sickness Unto Death delves into the concept of despair, presenting it as an existential sickness arising from being disconnected from one’s true self and God. In works such as Fear and Trembling and Either/Or, Kierkegaard explored the struggle of making authentic choices, the burden of freedom, and the concept of the “leap of faith”—an idea that challenges individuals to embrace belief in the face of uncertainty, paradox, and even absurdity. This leap of faith became a defining feature of Kierkegaard's view on what it meant to live authentically in relationship with God.

A vocal critic of the established church, Kierkegaard took issue with what he saw as the superficial and institutionalised nature of Christianity in Denmark. He believed that true Christian faith required a personal relationship with God, one that went beyond societal rituals and empty conventions. His attacks on the Church, especially in his later years, made him controversial and isolated within the Christian community of his time, but they also highlighted his commitment to sincerity and depth in religious life.

Kierkegaard’s influence extends far beyond his own century. His writings laid the groundwork for existentialism, inspiring later thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Martin Heidegger, as well as theologians such as Karl Barth and Paul Tillich. His emphasis on subjective truth, personal experience, and the inner struggles of the individual remains profoundly relevant today, providing insight into the nature of anxiety, freedom, and the search for meaning in an often overwhelming world. Kierkegaard’s legacy endures, encouraging us to confront life’s paradoxes, embrace faith amidst uncertainty, and strive for an authentic existence.

Chris Ball is an investor, entrepreneur, and business coach with over 35 years of experience owning and operating numerous successful businesses. Chris originally studied electronics and was determined to run a successful business in the rapidly growing technology industry.

He lives in England with his wife and children and is currently the owner and CEO of nine companies. He is passionate about business and personal development. Throughout his 35 years as a business owner and leader, he has continually sought to improve the management and development of those businesses.

Chris has stated that he has learned more from the businesses that have not succeeded than the successful ones. When Chris’s first business failed, he was left with such large debts that he lost his home and went bankrupt. He determined to come back stronger and better than before, learning some very tough lessons about his attitude and thoughts about how business works and the source of all his successes and failures.

He became a committed Christian and now believes that giving back to the world and society is the cornerstone of building a life worth living.