Named in memory of the great Danish religious philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855), known as the “father of existentialism”. All his life he suffered from the influence of the overpowering personality of his father, who educated him in strict adherence to orthodox Lutheranism. His unfortunate relationship with Regine Olsen also severely influenced his life and writings. Kierkegaard believed in the necessity for each individual to make a fully conscious, responsible choice among the alternatives that life offers. His well-known Fear and Trembling and Repetition dealt with faith and the idea of sacrifice. In The Sickness unto Death he anticipated aspects of Freudian {see planet  (4342)} psychoanalysis. He made also severe attacks on Hegel’s attempt to systematize the whole of existence. (M 28622) _ _.