Friedrich Nietzsche and Søren Kierkegaard are two towering figures in philosophy who tackled the biggest question of all—why life is worth living. Though they lived in different times and developed contrasting ideas, their works share common ground in exploring human existence, meaning, and purpose. For those new to philosophy, Nietzsche was a 19th-century German thinker known for his bold critique of traditional values and his emphasis on individual strength. Kierkegaard, on the other hand, was a 19th-century Danish philosopher and theologian hailed as the father of existentialism, focusing on life’s subjective and spiritual dimensions. Through their works, both philosophers encouraged individuals to look deeper into the essence of life.