In our modern, bustling world, there’s a curious emptiness that seems to hover beneath the surface of everyday life. Despite our technological achievements, economic growth, and societal advancements, many people find themselves feeling spiritually hollow—a sense of emptiness that no career milestone, gadget, or social achievement seems able to fill. The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard had a term for this very feeling: despair. He called it the “sickness unto death” in his book, The Sickness Unto Death, and believed it was a spiritual crisis—a disconnect between the self and what it is truly meant to become.
Kierkegaard’s exploration of despair wasn’t just a philosophical exercise; it was his attempt to provide a pathway from hopelessness to a meaningful, fulfilled life. He believed that facing despair head-on was necessary for reaching a deeper, faith-based understanding of oneself and of life’s true purpose. Let’s examine how Kierkegaard’s philosophy can guide us from spiritual emptiness to a life of purpose.
The “Sickness Unto Death” Explained
To understand Kierkegaard’s idea of despair, we first need to understand what he meant by the “sickness unto death.” This despair isn’t the kind of sadness or depression we might experience in response to specific events like losing a job or facing a personal setback. Instead, Kierkegaard described despair as a state of being—a kind of existential disconnection from oneself. It is the feeling of being at odds with who we really are and who we could become.
In The Sickness Unto Death, Kierkegaard explains that despair is not simply being unhappy; it is about failing to be one’s true self. It’s about living without the sense of who we really are or what our ultimate purpose is. It is the spiritual emptiness that comes from ignoring or running away from the eternal aspects of our being—the part of us that yearns for something greater than material success or societal approval.
This despair is what Kierkegaard referred to as the “sickness unto death” because it represents a condition that ultimately leads to a sort of death-in-life—an inability to truly live or find meaning. The tragedy of this sickness is that, unlike physical illness, it does not lead to a literal death, but rather to a prolonged state of inner torment, where one remains physically alive but spiritually unfulfilled.
Modern Despair: The Spiritual Void of Today
In today’s world, Kierkegaard’s description of despair feels more relevant than ever. We live in an age of constant distraction, and we’re bombarded with messages about what should make us happy—career achievements, material wealth, social media validation. Despite all of this, many people are left feeling hollow, sensing that something important is missing. This is precisely the kind of despair Kierkegaard talks about—the despair that comes from living a life that is out of alignment with our deeper purpose
One of the reasons spiritual emptiness is so pervasive today is because we often look for meaning in all the wrong places. We focus on the external: career, social standing, possessions, or even our curated online personas. But these pursuits, while they may bring temporary satisfaction, often leave us feeling disconnected from our deeper selves, from others, and from anything truly lasting or meaningful.
Kierkegaard argued that the only way to overcome this kind of despair is to embrace the concept of faith—not faith in the narrow sense of adhering to religious dogma, but a broader faith in something eternal, something greater than oneself. This faith, he argued, is the antidote to despair because it provides a foundation on which to build a life that feels meaningful and authentic.
The Journey from Despair to Faith
Kierkegaard saw despair as an inevitable part of the human condition, but he also saw it as an opportunity. Despair forces us to confront the reality that our current way of living is not working, and it invites us to consider a different approach. It is a wake-up call—a sign that we need to reconnect with the parts of ourselves that we have been ignoring.
Kierkegaard believed that the journey out of despair begins with an honest acknowledgement of our current state. We have to face the fact that we are in despair, that we feel empty or lost, and that our current pursuits are not providing us with the meaning we seek. This requires a level of vulnerability that many people find uncomfortable, but it is a necessary first step.
The next step, according to Kierkegaard, is to turn inward and upward. We need to stop looking to external achievements or validation to define our worth and instead start cultivating a relationship with the eternal part of ourselves. This is where faith comes in. Kierkegaard described faith as a leap—a conscious decision to trust in something greater than oneself, even without concrete proof. It is a choice to believe that there is a purpose to our existence, even if we do not fully understand what that purpose is.
For me, this was a vital thought process that kept me going in times of extreme despair. I had been quite successful in business, with a nice home and all the trimmings, but in the financial crash of 2008, I lost everything. My business went under when the bank called in the loans, and with that, I lost my home, and my children had to go and live with my ex-wife. They also took my dog with them as I became homeless. During this time, I had to trust that there was a greater purpose to all this. On days when I had to search for somewhere to sleep, or I didn’t have enough food to eat, I had to create a belief that the was a higher purpose to all this. Only through faith that I would eventually find meaning in all this was I able to keep going when there seemed to be no way forward.
For Kierkegaard, this faith is not passive; it is an active, ongoing commitment. It involves living in a way that is true to who we are meant to be—honouring our values, pursuing our passions, and striving to make a positive impact on the world. It means recognising that we are part of something much larger than ourselves and that our lives have meaning beyond the material or superficial.
Faith as a Response to the Absurd
Kierkegaard’s concept of faith is particularly powerful because it is a response to the absurdity of life. Life, as Kierkegaard saw it, is often filled with contradictions and uncertainties. We are faced with choices that have no clear right answer, and we encounter suffering that seems to have no purpose. In the face of this absurdity, it is easy to fall into despair and to feel that life is meaningless.
However, Kierkegaard argued that it is precisely in the face of this absurdity that faith becomes most meaningful. Faith is the act of embracing life’s uncertainties and paradoxes while still choosing to believe in the value of one’s existence. It is the decision to live authentically and passionately, even when there are no guarantees.
In this way, faith becomes a powerful tool for overcoming spiritual emptiness. It allows us to find meaning in our lives, not because everything makes perfect sense, but because we have chosen to believe that our lives have worth and that we are part of something greater.
Practical Steps to Cultivate Faith and Overcome Emptiness
So how do we begin to apply Kierkegaard’s insights to our own lives? How do we move from despair to faith and overcome the spiritual emptiness that plagues so many of us?
- Acknowledge the Emptiness: The first step is to be honest with yourself about your feelings. If you are experiencing a sense of emptiness or disconnection, acknowledge it without judgement. Recognise that this feeling is not a personal failing but a natural part of the human experience.
- Reflect on Your Life’s Purpose: Spend time reflecting on what truly matters to you. What are your core values? What gives your life meaning beyond material success or social validation? Journaling, meditation, or simply spending time in nature can help you connect with your inner self and gain clarity on your purpose.
- Make the Leap of Faith: Faith is ultimately a choice. It is the decision to trust that your life has meaning, even if you cannot fully understand it. This leap of faith may involve embracing a spiritual practice, committing to a cause you believe in, or simply choosing to live in alignment with your values, regardless of external pressures.
- Live Authentically: Once you have made the leap of faith, the next step is to live authentically. This means making choices that reflect your true self and your deeper values, even if they go against societal expectations. It means being willing to take risks and to be vulnerable, knowing that true fulfilment comes from living in alignment with who you are meant to be.
- Cultivate Relationships that Matter: Faith does not have to be cultivated in isolation. Surround yourself with people who support your journey and who encourage you to live authentically. Meaningful relationships can provide a sense of connection and purpose that helps alleviate spiritual emptiness.
- Embrace the Unknown: Finally, learn to embrace life’s uncertainties. The leap of faith is not about having all the answers; it is about trusting that your life has value, even in the midst of ambiguity and doubt. Let go of the need to control every outcome and instead choose to live with openness and curiosity.
From Emptiness to Fulfillment
Kierkegaard’s exploration of despair and faith offers a powerful framework for overcoming the spiritual emptiness that so many people experience today. By acknowledging our despair, making the leap of faith, and committing to living authentically, we can move from a state of hopelessness to a life of purpose and fulfilment.
The Sickness Unto Death is more than just a philosophical text; it is a call to action. It challenges us to confront our own emptiness, to seek out a deeper connection with ourselves, and to live in a way that is true to our highest potential. In doing so, we not only overcome our own despair but also contribute to a more meaningful and connected world.