"What is happiness?
The feeling that power increases - that resistance
is being overcome"
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
something in this feels ok, but something in me is resisting the statement... what do you make of it?
2007-12-06 08:23:02 · 9 answers · asked by joe the man 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
yes, rp, that bit was bothering me... but jack helped put a different light on it...
so it's like... self empowerment and our own resistance... not to crush everyone.
and that would actually lead to what armless and sherl are saying empowerment and balance... mmm
2007-12-06 09:08:39 · update #1
Nietzsche would say that, of course.
He had it backwards, though; he is correct about the end of resistance, but it is not resistance *to* us that needs to be overcome, it is our *own* resistance that needs to end for happiness to occur.
Most of us resist happiness: we are always waiting until this or that event occurs in our life before we will allow ourselves to be happy. We hold our happiness in reserve and do not appreciate what is already in our lives, what there currently is to be happy and thankful for. We need only cease our resistance to happiness for it to come into our lives.
Happiness deferred is no happiness at all.
2007-12-06 08:48:34 · answer #1 · answered by Jack B, goodbye, Yahoo! 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Nietzsche's probably not as bad as some people make him out to me (he's often accused of being a proto-Nazi), but I think that the part of you that resists the statement is that from a certain angle it seems to promote dominance or possibly controlling other people to make you happy.
I think it's possible that that's not what Nietzsche's saying, though. I think he's saying something about taking responsibility. I would stress, however, that we can't control everything.
2007-12-06 16:30:59 · answer #2 · answered by Logan 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For one without power that would be an okay statement.
I believe that happiness is warm hot chocolate and bunny slippers. This type of statement would not make one think of any grand schemes or designs for a modern world now would it.
Just my two-cents.
2007-12-06 16:30:24 · answer #3 · answered by CME 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I disagree, power doesn't necessarily bring happiness. Nor does overcoming resistance.
It may be something that can bring happiness, but to me, happiness is a balance, and a feeling of belonging. Being in tune, so to speak, with whatever is bringing you that happiness.
2007-12-06 16:50:54 · answer #4 · answered by Armless Joe, Bipedal Foe 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This can be interpreted any number of ways. What it says to me is that happiness is conquering obstacles or besting life's hardships.
2007-12-06 16:28:34 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. Saturday 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Different things make different people happy. -- Friedrich Nietzsche is an idiot.
2007-12-06 16:27:31 · answer #6 · answered by gnostic 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
see I thought happiness was a cheesecake....
OK... your statement. doesn't sit well with me. Power increasing is not always a good thing.
edit-- jack did have some very WISE thoughts on it....
2007-12-06 16:26:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think i agree. I think it's an expectation of improved fortune, not necessarily power.
2007-12-06 16:27:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
hmm...
i think it would be more accurate if it said something like
the feeling that powerlessness decreases - that obstacles can be overcome.
just my thoughts.
2007-12-06 16:52:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋