A Teenage Philosophy of Awareness and Existence: Analysis of the Columbine Shooters’ Worldview

Mathijs Koenraadt

How did Columbine school shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold view the world around them?


The first half of this short book analyzes the shooters’ personal journals, from a philosophical perspective, and with surprising result--a teenage philosophy of awareness and existence. Eric Harris rebelliously called his journal The Book of God. Albeit drenched in violent hate speech, his writings also criticize common people’s beliefs. Dylan Klebold explored the fabric of existence and reality. He named his journal A Virtual Book of Existences. In it, he presents ideas that call to mind the great Greek philosopher Heraclitus.


The second half of this book contains annotated transcripts of the killers’ journals.