Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) Danish Theologian and Philosopher of Religion

Earlier Work: Fear and Trembling, under the pseudonym Johannes Climacus

Present Work: Sickness unto Death, under the pseudonym Anti-Climacus

1) The Relational Self: dynamic, always in the process of becoming, relating activity

2) Self as synthesis: finite and infinite, temporal and eternal, necessity and freedom (possibility)

3) Despair: of the finite and of the infinite

4) Sin: of not willing to be oneself, and of willing to be oneself

5) Faith: through consciousness of sin

Comparison with Dogen:

Self as awakening versus Self as relating

Self in relation to form and emptiness vs. Self in relation to finite and infinite

Self of insufficiency vs. Self of sin-consciousness

Self in delusion/awakening vs. Self in sin/faith