Nietzsche - Are amor fati and eternal recurrence compatible doctrines

Lucia Schuster

• Publisher: GRIN Verlag
• Year: 2003
• eBook ISBN: 9783638193771
• Edition: 0
• Topic: Philosophy
• Subtopic: Modern Philosophy

Essay from the year 2002 in the subject Philosophy - Philosophy of the 19th Century, grade: 1, 3 (A), University of Southampton (Philosophical Department), course: German Philosophical Theory, language: English, abstract: The essay deals with the compatibility of two doctrines - amor fati and eternalrecurrence. The purpose of this paper will not be to assess if they are compatible inthe sense of whether they can work in intertwined harmony. I will not discuss thelegitimacy of amor fati as a doctrine but eternal recurrence with its non-religiousclaims needs to stand up to our scrutiny. A doctrine can be either based onknowledge or on belief. It would stand to reason therefore to verify eternalrecurrence´s claims to legitimacy through knowledge – empirical or physical evidenceor through belief. In regard to knowledge I will have to prove if eternal recurrence iscomprehensible, to find out whether or not amor fati and eternal recurrence areworking hand in hand. Without plausible reasoning the final goal of amor fati can notbe reached through the way of eternal recurrence. Firstly it is therefore necessary tofind some empirical or physical proof for his thesis upon which one can build thebasis for empirical interpretations of the eternal recurrence. Secondly Nietzsche´seternal recurrence can be seen hypothetically, as a game of thoughts, where one isasked to imagine his/her life recurring innumerable times in all its smallest details andshould then react to this imagined state-of-affairs. Taking the assumption that thosestatements are in themselves rational and convincing I can state that eternalrecurrence leads consequently to amor fati. Therefore both doctrines are compatible.If it is not the case eternal recurrence will just be based on belief. I will answer thequestions if Nietzsche really offers a new doctrine through which one can reach thegoal of affirmation of life or if it is only a doctrine on the basis of faith. [...]