Shouldn't you try and get what you want in life?

Question

Once you know what you really want, shouldn't that be more important than anything else? Do people tell you that you shouldn't want it, or that it isn't really important? Shouldn't you tell these people to shove it?

Answer 1

This is not a new philosophy. Look into the writings of Freidrich Nietzsche, he was one of the first philosophers that said that everything we do and believe is subjective. That is to say, what is fact for me, does not necessarily hold true for another person. He also said that the reason anyone does anything was for the good of themselves alone. Even helping others has a payoff to you, otherwise you would not do it.

Relativism is the belief that there is not one truth but many depending on the source of the opinion. There are many arguments against it, but they are difficult to explain without writing a chapter. A short way to disagree with relativism is to say - there must be a false truth, it cannot all be true. The reason is that a true relativist says that all opinions are true...but then that means that those who disagree are both true, and if one is true, one MUST be false by reason; because if I believe you are wrong - and that opinion is true - then you cannot be right or I am wrong.

The reason I mention relativism is because that benefits us if we believe there can be no "wrong" answer, or false truth. Nietzsche was convinced that God was dead, and those who did not believe that did it for their own self preservation because they needed God to exist. He also believed we should all do "what's best for us."

I think if what's good for you is not good for someone else, you should consider other options. There are many ways to make yourself happy, many ways to "get what you want" out of life without alienating yourself from those around you.

Answer 2

There's nothing wrong with working for what you want out of life as long as you don't have to step on others to get it. You should also make sure that it's something worth your time and trouble, not everything is. And there's an old saying that you should think about too; be careful what you wish for! Once you have it you may be disappointed. It's best to try to keep your life simple. Once the Japanese (they may still be this way, I am not sure) had a simple way of life and had just what they need to be comfortable, anything else was just gravy. And about people telling you what to do, they may just love you and if they're older they may have been there, done that. So you may want to listen to them, even if you don't follow what they say.

Answer 3

You mean beyond sleeping, eating, or human contact?

Your question reminds me of an experiment that was done in which an animal had the pleasure centers of its brain wired to a device that allows the animal to directly stimulate said pleasure centers. The animal would stimulate itself to the point of exhaustion, without regard to eating or sleeping.

I don't think you meant that extreme -- however, your question brings up the point that on occasion, we can be blind to the risks or dangers involved in the 'all or nothing' approach to a goal, and those people (who have the irritating tendency to give advice, tell you that your goal isn't as valid, or make statements that your goal is evil/immoral/hardly politically correct) may in fact offer an outside observation that you yourself could not recognize or appreciate because of your present state of mind.

On the whole, I encourage people to set goals, identify the steps to those goals, and set about accomplishing those steps. It can be equally important to list the obstaces (including inconveniences like laws, statutes, and company policies) that may cause more delay (or even jail time) in your pursuit of your goal.

PS -- Telling people to shove it will probably not create admiration for your tenacity. Try "I hear what you are saying, I understand you don't agree, but I have my own opinion and I'm sticking with it." A polite way of saying "Kiss off you, w*****!"

Answer 4

Why tell them to shove it-just quietly persue your wishes. If you are sincere in your quest, you will not need approval. Ten years from now, you may actually agree with the other people, in which case telling them to shove it would seem like a bad move.

If your heart's desire involves foresaking all other things-proceed with caution. Rarely does any one thing make us happy-so often we deem one thing "it" and pursue it to the exclusion of all other possibilities.

Answer 5

Life is about fulfilling your needs. Ideally, you pay in proportion to the worth of each need. It's the job of parents is to instil in their children an appreciation of the value of things, both material and otherwise, and these are the people most likely to suggest that some of the things we want are unimportant or that seeking after them is unwise. The most unwise choice of action is to tell those people to shove it - they usually turn out to be right! But then, some of us just HAVE to learn the hard way, at the school of hard knocks.

Answer 6

Yes, if you know what you want go for it and don't let anyone stop you. Just this year I was facing this same dilemma with my parents. They wanted to choose what college I went to and what I did with my career. I decided to rebel and I am now doing what I wanted to in the first place. In the end, it's your life and nobody should control what you do with your future.

Answer 7

That is exactly what I am dealing with. I know what I want and what I am focused on. It seems unconventional to other people but it feels right for me. I'm going to do what feels right for me.

Answer 8

if you know what it is that you want and realise that you have to work hard in order to obtain whatever it is you are looking for, then so be it. don't let nobody or nothing stand in your way

Answer 9

I try. Even so, I got more things without trying any than the things I tried for.

Answer 10

Tell them to shove it. If you want it, go for it.

Well, at least that is my philosophy.