The Benefits of Battling Your Own Ideas: How Søren Kierkegaard Used Fake Names to Sharpen His Thinking

Søren Kierkegaard is known as the father of existentialism. He’s also known for using fake names (or pseudonyms) to publish ideas.

Søren Kierkegaard is known as the father of existentialism. He’s also known for using fake names, or pseudonyms, to publish ideas.

By writing under multiple pseudonyms, he could express different perspectives on an issue and give readers a deeper understanding of the topic by seeing all sides of the argument.

This approach puts the idea at the center of debate, not the person relaying the message.

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Kierkegaard's use of pseudonyms wasn’t only useful as a form of communication, but also as a way to sharpen his own thinking. By presenting opposing viewpoints, It forced him to stress-test his own ideas.

He understood the strengths and weaknesses of the argument, and refine his opinion based on what he found.

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The lesson we can draw from Kierkegaard's approach is valuable: It’s difficult to admit when we are wrong or to consider other viewpoints. But by arguing against our own points of view from time to time, we can gain a deeper understanding of the topic at hand, and ultimately arrive closer to the truth.

So, if you're looking to earn wisdom, try arguing against yourself once in a while. You might be surprised at what you discover.