Single Idea 6842

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 8. Eternal Recurrence]

Full Idea

Nietzsche is overwhelmingly concerned with how to respond to nihilism, and he offers the concept of eternal return; the Overman is one who can affirm over and over that one is equal to meaninglessness, without turning to despair or idols.

Clarification

The Overman (übermensch) is a person above conventional morality

Gist of Idea

Nietzsche says facing up to the eternal return of meaninglessness is the response to nihilism

Source

report of Friedrich Nietzsche (The Gay (Joyful) Science [1882], §342) by Simon Critchley - Interview with Baggini and Stangroom p.192

Book Reference

Baggini,J/Stangroom,J: 'New British Philosophy' [Routledge 2002], p.192


A Reaction

I agree with Critchley that this is not much of a recipe for ordinary people's lives, and I don't even find it very congenial for a tough-minded philosopher. We should make the best of the cards we are dealt, however feeble they may appear.