“People commonly travel the world over to see rivers and mountains, new stars, garish birds, freak fish, grotesque breeds of human; they fall into an animal stupor that gapes at existence and they think they have seen something.”
- May 5, 1813 – November 11, 1855
- Danish
- Philosopher, Theologian, Poet, Father of Existentialism
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Quote
“People commonly travel the world over to see rivers and mountains, new stars, garish birds, freak fish, grotesque breeds of human; they fall into an animal stupor that gapes at existence and they think they have seen something.”
Explanation
This quote offers Kierkegaard’s critique of superficial experience and passive observation. He observes that many people seek novelty in the external world—traveling far and wide to witness strange or beautiful things—yet do so with no depth of reflection or inner engagement. Their curiosity is uncritical and instinctual, akin to an “animal stupor,” driven more by distraction than by meaning. For Kierkegaard, seeing is not understanding, and external stimulation does not equate to inward insight.
Kierkegaard’s broader philosophy emphasizes the importance of inwardness and personal truth. Living in an era increasingly fascinated by science, travel, and spectacle, he warned against reducing life to mere sensory experience or entertainment. To truly “see” something, in his view, requires not just the eyes, but the soul—a capacity for interpretation, self-awareness, and moral engagement. Without this inward depth, the marvels of the world become empty spectacle.
In the modern age of tourism, social media, and digital consumption, the quote is strikingly relevant. People often document experiences—exotic places, rare foods, dramatic moments—without truly internalizing their meaning. Kierkegaard challenges us to shift from passive onlookers to active seekers of truth, reminding us that what matters is not merely what we observe, but how deeply we understand and integrate it into the life of the self.
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