The philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, offers a valuable framework for evaluating the ethics and morality of Paul Baumer in All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque. Kierkegaard’s ideas, particularly those in The Sickness Unto Death, Fear and Trembling, and Either/Or, can help in understanding the conflicts that Paul faced as a soldier and how he coped with them. Through Kierkegaard’s ideas of individuality, despair, and the continuous process of self-discovery and self-realization. we see how Paul’s experiences of war have shaped his understanding of his own life and the world around him.

One of the main themes in Kierkegaard’s philosophy is the importance of individuality, and in Either/Or, he argues that we must choose our own path in life without being influenced by others. Paul initially lacked a sense of individuality due to the indoctrination he received from influential figures of his youth like Kantorek. He and his classmates were encouraged to fight in the war for their country’s glory. However, after witnessing the horrors of war, Paul realized the emptiness of this ideal. He says, “With our young, awakened eyes we saw that the classical conception of the Fatherland held by our teachers resolved itself here into a renunciation of personality such as one would not ask for the meanest servants” (Page 22). He came to realize that the traditional patriotic ideology he had been taught was merely a facade, concealing the sacrifice of individuality and personality for the sake of nationalistic ideals. It is as if Paul was a vessel, drained of his individuality and humanity, in service to an abstract and ultimately hollow cause.

Kierkegaard’s concept of despair is particularly relevant to Paul’s experience in the novel. From The Sickness Unto Death, Kierkegaard’s view of despair as not just a state of mind, but a condition of the spirit, is reflected in Paul’s profound sense of loss and disconnection from the world around him. In a haunting metaphor, Paul compares himself and his fellow soldiers to “forlorn children, experienced like old men,” emphasizing their sense of isolation and vulnerability (page 123). Paul and his fellow soldiers are disconnected from society, as they have no place to call home and no past or future to look forward to. Despite the bleakness of the situation, Kierkegaard argues that despair can also be a powerful force for change, forcing individuals to confront their own limitations and seek a higher purpose. In Paul’s case, his experience of war ultimately leads him to a deeper understanding of his own humanity and the realization that life is both precious and fragile.

Finally, Paul’s journey throughout the novel reflects Kierkegaard’s notion that life is a continuous process of self-discovery and self-realization. At the beginning of the novel, Paul is full of patriotic fervor and idealism, spurred on by his teacher’s call to duty and the romanticized image of war. However, as he experiences the brutality of war, Paul is confronted with the temptation to despair and lose his sense of self. Paul becomes disillusioned and recognizes the emptiness of the values and beliefs he was taught. Through his experiences, Paul learns to confront the reality of his situation and search for his past to regain his own individuality, even in the face of despair and fear.

Overall, Kierkegaard’s philosophy offers an insightful way to evaluate the ethics and morality of Paul Baumer in All Quiet on the Western Front. By highlighting the significance of individuality, despair, and the continuous process of self-discovery and self-realization, Kierkegaard helps us comprehend the intricate influences that shape Paul’s decisions and experiences. In doing so, Kierkegaard’s ideas provide a more extensive analysis of human existence and how our actions can determine our path in life.