Either/Or: A Fragment of Life

Soren Kierkegaard

July 1, 2004

Søren Kierkegaard’s Either/Or: A Fragment of Life is a two-part work of philosophical fiction that explores the ethos of an individual and how he or she must make choices in life to define their identity. Written as an exploration and response to the ideas of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Kierkegaard creates two distinct characters, “A” and “B”, who each embody different facets of life and morality. The first part of Either/Or is a commentary by “A”, a young, educated man with the life of a sybarite. Much of his writing is a reflection of his life of material pleasures and experiences. He values art, music and literature, prefers relaxed social interaction, and is drawn to the luxurious hedonism of a wealthy life.The second part is an exploration of a more moralistic “B”, a character who has broken away from the frivolousness of “A” to focus on more serious pursuits, such as ethical contemplation, marriage, and parenthood. He explains the importance of individuality and responsibility, and warns of the dangers of succumbing to society's pressures and expectations.By demonstrating the lives and thoughts of “A” and “B”, Kierkegaard encourages the reader to consider their own choices and weigh the influence of passion and reason. Ultimately, he argues that every individual has a unique spiritual destiny to fulfill and must commit to a path if they are to experience true fulfilment. Both/Or: A Fragment of Life is an important work in existential philosophy and continues to challenge readers to examine their own choices and consequences in life.