AN EXAMINATION OF THE NOTION OF AUTHENTIC EXISTENCE IN SOREN KIERKEGAARD’S PHILOSOPHY

ABSTRACT This project explores the core idea of Søren Kierkegaard's philosophy and the wider existential tradition. That is how people can lead authentic, meaningful lives in a world full of distractions, social pressures, and superficiality. Kierkegaard’s writings examine the internal conflict people experience when they try to live up to the expectations of life, religion, and self-reliance. He claims that genuine authenticity has nothing to do with following social conventions or leading a secure and comfortable existence. Rather it necessitates a closer relationship with God and a greater connection to oneself that reflect our actual values. Søren Kierkegaard’s philosophy offers a compelling exploration of authentic existence, yet its application and relevance in today’s context warrant further investigation. This research emphasises Kierkegaard's criticism of life in poor faith, in which people conceal themselves behind religious dogma or society norms. It attempts to demonstrate how Kierkegaard's theories of authenticity and the phases of life—the aesthetic, ethical, and religious—remain relevant today, especially as people look for meaning in a world that is becoming more complicated and uncertain through a close reading of his key works.