"One sticks one’s finger into the soil to tell by the smell in what land one is: I stick my finger in existence — it smells of nothing. Where am I? Who am I? How came I here? What is this thing called the world? What does this world mean? Who is it that has lured me into the world? Why was I not consulted, why not made acquainted with its manners and customs instead of throwing me into the ranks, as if I had been bought by a kidnapper, a dealer in souls? How did I obtain an interest in this big enterprise they call reality? Why should I have an interest in it? Is it not a voluntary concern? And if I am to be compelled to take part in it, where is the director? I should like to make a remark to him. Is there no director? Whither shall I turn with my complaint?"

Søren Kierkegaard (1813 – 1855)

Pauly (>'.')> wrote:

Don't like him, too many leaps of faith, theology ftl, and the same crap as Heidegger in making things vague rather than putting his ideas on the table for everyone to have a go at (although Heidegger just used imprentrable language only other high-level intellectuals could process or have the patience to read). Would rather stick with dry old Sartre or Mr. seductive wordplay Freddy Nietzsche for my existentialist fix.

I don't see how the original quote could be considered vague...

And putting his ideas on the table for everyone to have a go at is exactly what he does...

I can't be bothered, so I'll paste this explaination:

"Kierkegaard left the task of discovering the meaning of his works to the reader, because 'the task must be made difficult, for only the difficult inspires the noble-hearted'.[4] Scholars have interpreted Kierkegaard variously as an existentialist, neo-orthodoxist, postmodernist, humanist, and as an individualist. Crossing the boundaries of philosophy, theology, psychology, and literature, he is an influential figure in contemporary thought.[5][6][7]"