HOW CAN SCHEMA THERAPY HELP US UNDERSTAND KIERKEGAARD'S BREAKING UP OF HIS ENGAGEMENT

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855) is a great Danish philosopher and the father of existentialism. An essential part of his writings, often under pseudonyms, dealt with his broken engagement, reflecting his doubts and ambivalent feelings. The motives behind the breakup initiated by the philosopher are complex and hard to decipher. This article is an attempt to better understand Kierkegaard´s seemingly controversial psychological motives behind this unhappy love story, by applying the conceptual model of schema therapy. The main subjects of the investigation are two biographies on Kierkegaard written by Georg Brandes and Joakim Garff as well as Garff's book centered on Kierkegaard's fiancée. While it would be scientifically unfounded to establish any diagnosis of mental disorder based on these materials, it may be possible to point out certain psychological patterns, which can help us understand why the philosopher broke off the betrothal and why he was ruminating on it for so long afterwards. The method of choice for the investigation is schema therapy, which is applicable for the analysis of complex psychological problems. The present study can be considered as a form of psychobiographical investigation focused on a specific event in a historical figure's life. The thoroughness and objectiveness of the biography written by Garff, and Kierkegaard' extraordinary inclination to psychological insight and description, made the available material sufficient for a retrospective schema therapy-based conceptualisation. By the help of this systematic approach, one can gain a deeper understanding of how Kierkegaard's seemingly contradictory feelings, thoughts and acts were influenced by his early maladaptive schemas, schema modes and coping styles, and how they interconnected with each other. Schema conceptualisation can be an applicable psychobiographical method, as long as there is quantitatively and qualitatively sufficient study material available.