
“What is the first step to wisdom? It is to look inward and know yourself.”
—Socrates
You might feel an irresistible pull to explore, to witness the wonders of the world. After all, who doesn’t want to see the Grand Canyon’s vastness, Paris’s romantic skyline, or the elusive Northern Lights?
Søren Kierkegaard, the 19th-century Danish philosopher, challenges this instinct with a pecualiar observation about humanity’s search for meaning in the external world.
His words seem to mock the traveler:
“People commonly travel around the world to see rivers and mountains, new stars, birds of rare plumage, queerly deformed fishes, ridiculous breeds of men – they abandon themselves to the bestial stupor which gapes at existence, and they think they have seen something.”
What is Kierkegaard really saying here? And why does it feel like he’s addressing us directly?
The Seduction of Surface-Level Wonders
Think about your social media feed.
How often do you see pictures of exotic destinations, plates of tasty food, and filtered landscapes?
Every click and double-tap affirms the notion that travel and external experiences define a fulfilled life.
Kierkegaard would disagree.
He suggests that many of us approach life like tourists—not just in the literal sense but in our philosophy of existence.
You might think that by “seeing the world,” you’ve captured its essence. But have you? Kierkegaard would argue that this pursuit often becomes a superficial distraction. Instead of delving into the depth of what it means to be human, we settle for surface-level thrills and call it enlightenment.
The river you marvel at, the mountain you climb, the sunset you post about—these aren’t inherently meaningless, but what do they change within you?
The Distraction of the Aesthetic Life
Kierkegaard categorized human existence into stages, one of which is the aesthetic life. This is where you might find yourself if your primary focus is on external pleasures and experiences.
While it’s not wrong to seek beauty, Kierkegaard saw this as a stage that traps people in a cycle of fleeting satisfaction.
When you chase novelty—be it through travel, possessions, or even intellectual pursuits—you risk becoming like the traveler he described: someone who moves from one spectacle to the next but never pauses to reflect on their deeper self.
Are you that traveler? Be honest with yourself. When you return from a trip , do you feel transformed, or do you find yourself scrolling for the next big thing?
The Call to Inwardness
Kierkegaard’s real challenge to you isn’t to reject the external world entirely but to prioritize the inner one.
His philosophy revolves around “inwardness,” a deep engagement with your own soul, beliefs, and existence.
Imagine this: you sit by a riverbank, watching the water flow. A tourist might see beauty in the ripples and reflections. A thinker might wonder about the physics of water currents. But the inward traveler—the one Kierkegaard urges you to become—asks: What does this river say about me?
This isn’t a call to narcissism or self-obsession. Instead, it’s an invitation to think deeply about the connections between what you see and who you are.
The Danger of Avoiding the Self
Why do so many of us avoid inward reflection?
Kierkegaard believed that facing the truth about yourself is terrifying.
You might discover fears, regrets, or an emptiness that the world’s greatest sights cannot fill.
It’s easier to fill your calendar with activities, to seek fulfillment in things outside yourself.
But Kierkegaard warns that this avoidance leaves you alienated from the very essence of your being.
It’s like trying to understand a book by admiring its cover—you miss the story entirely.
Finding Meaning Beyond the Aesthetic
The wonders of the world can inspire awe, gratitude, and even a sense of connection.
But Kierkegaard asks you to approach them differently. Instead of gaping at existence, engage with it.
When you visit a distant land, don’t just check off a list of sights; ask how those experiences resonate with your beliefs, fears, and aspirations.
When you meet people from different walks of life, don’t just observe them as “ridiculous breeds of men”; challenge yourself to see what they reveal about your shared humanity.
Kierkegaard’s words aren’t meant to belittle your desire to explore the world. Instead, they’re a reminder that the greatest journey you can undertake is the one inward.
The Spiritual Implication
Kierkegaard’s philosophy is deeply tied to faith, specifically his Christian perspective.
Whether or not you share his spiritual outlook, his challenge remains universal: are you truly living, or are you simply existing?
To live, according to Kierkegaard, is to confront the absurdities and uncertainties of life with courage.
It’s about wrestling with questions of purpose, morality, and identity.
The external world can provide tools and metaphors for this journey, but it can’t replace the work you need to do within.
The Practical Takeaway
What does this mean for your everyday life?
Here are a few questions to guide you:
- Why are you doing what you’re doing?
Before embarking on your next adventure or pursuing a new goal, ask yourself: What am I really looking for? - Are you taking time to reflect?
Reflection isn’t just something you do once a year on New Year’s Eve. It’s a practice that requires quiet, patience, and honesty. - What scares you about inwardness?
Sometimes, the things we avoid thinking about are the ones that matter most. What truths about yourself are you reluctant to face? - How can you turn outward experiences into inward growth?
Whether it’s a trip abroad or a conversation with a friend, ask yourself what these experiences teach you about yourself and your values.
Why I Choose the Inward Path
When I first read Kierkegaard’s critique of superficial living, I felt uncomfortable—almost attacked. Like many, I’ve sought meaning in external experiences, hoping they’d somehow complete me.
But the more I reflected, the more I realized the truth in his words.
Traveling the world, meeting people, and chasing dreams are beautiful pursuits, but they are only as valuable as the self-awareness they cultivate.
Without inward reflection, even the most breathtaking moments become hollow.
I’ve learned that the most meaningful journey isn’t to a faraway place but to the depths of my own soul. It’s a journey that requires courage, humility, and patience, but it’s the only one that truly matters.
So, I ask you: are you ready to leave the tourist behind and become a true traveler of the self?
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