Combining Texts

Ideas for 'On the Question of Absolute Undecidability', 'Twilight of the Idols' and 'Thus Spake Zarathustra'

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3 ideas

22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / d. Good as virtue
A good human will be virtuous because they are happy [Nietzsche]
     Full Idea: A well-constituted human being, a 'happy one', must perform certain actions and shrink from other actions. In a formula: his virtue is the consequence of his happiness.
     From: Friedrich Nietzsche (Twilight of the Idols [1889], 5.2)
     A reaction: A nice reversal of basic Aristotle, though Aristotle does say that the truly virtuous person is happy in their actions. Treat unhappy people with caution!
22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 2. Happiness / c. Value of happiness
Only the English actually strive after happiness [Nietzsche]
     Full Idea: Man does not strive after happiness; only the Englishman does that.
     From: Friedrich Nietzsche (Twilight of the Idols [1889], Maxim 12)
     A reaction: The Danes keeping being voted the happiest nation, so presumably that results from some sort of effort on their part. The easiest is happiness is to achieve security, then do nothing.
I want my work, not happiness! [Nietzsche]
     Full Idea: Do I aspire after happiness? I aspire after my work!
     From: Friedrich Nietzsche (Thus Spake Zarathustra [1884], 4.20)
     A reaction: I empathise with aspiring to do something, rather than be something. But what do we wish for our children? Happiness first, then achievement?