Abstract

This paper aims to bring together the Danish existentialist philosopher Søren Kierkegaard and Nae Ionescu, a Romanian philosopher from the beginning of the 20th century, the proponent of a philosophical movement called ‘trăirism’. I suggest that the linking concept here would be religious authenticity. Kierkegaard’s interest for existential authenticity and for religiousness as the most authentic way of life is well known and it has been a constant feature throughout his writings. In Kierkegaard’s existential dialectic the religious stage of life is the highest level of human existence. He identifies the authentic religious way of life in biblical figures such as Abraham and Job. Nae Ionescu, the proponent of ‘trăirism’ has a similar approach to philosophy and existence. He believes that philosophy, religion and even science are matters of life, more than matters of knowledge. He understands metaphysics as an existential quest. The aim of metaphysics is to make sense of our existence, starting from our very own experience. Thus, Nae Ionescu’s understanding of metaphysics and philosophy is strongly connected to religion and mysticism. Therefore, the human being’s main existential strive is to gain redemption and this idea brings the Romanian philosopher closest to Kierkegaard’s thought. Fundamentally, both philosophers believe that the most authentic way of life is religious, meaning that the self/ the human being has to experience a direct relation with God in order to fulfill his existential quest.