Chapter 11 Happiness, Suffering, and Pessimism in Kierkegaard, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and Mill

Why does Kierkegaard claim that all humans are in despair? Who is the knight of faith? What is the “will”? Why did Schopenhauer consider himself a pessimist? In what ways did Nietzsche accept Schopenhauer’s philosophy? In what ways did he reject it? What is the Ubermensch? What is the Greatest Happiness Principle? How does Mill’s Utilitarian moral philosophy conflict with the insights of Nietzsche?

Happiness, Suffering, Pessimism Is there something in our nature that prevents us from reconciling with the world around us?

Soren Kierkegaard Can the pleasures of this world make life meaningful?

Hegel and Individualism Is there any room for the individual in Hegel’s account of Geist? If not, do you think that this is a problem with his view?

Given the views of Kant and of Hegel, could we ever find spiritual peace? How would we do this?

Have you ever taken anything on faith? What? Was this a liberating experience, or did it trouble you to discover you had no solid foundation for your beliefs or actions?

Despair Do you believe that you have an infinite soul? If so, is this housed in your finite body? How could these two disparate elements ever be in harmony with each other? What emotional state would this lead to?

What event could free us from the lack of harmony between the body and soul? Would such an event be a desirable one?

Knight of Faith Does the life of a knight of faith, filled hardship, despair, and anxiety, seem like an appealing one to you, given that this is all endured for the sake of coming closer to God? If not—what might this tell you about your own dedication to Truth?

Are any hardships worth enduring for the sake of Truth? Or do you think that the value of Truth is in some way limited?

Ethical or Aesthetic? Is it better to be a knight of faith unsatisfied, or a person content with the pleasures of the moment? Why do you think as you do?

Challenge! Imagine that you had no challenges in your life; nothing to overcome, and nothing to strive for. Would that life be an appealing one, or not?

Arthur Schopenhauer Philosophical pessimist!

The Kantian Cave Given Kant’s philosophical views, why are we all like prisoners in Plato’s cave? How does this connect with Eastern thought? If such disparate traditions come to similar conclusions— do you think that this shows that they are true?

Do you think that the more we look inward, and away from the outer world, the closer we can get to Truth?

Think about Nothing Sit quietly, and try to think about nothing at all—leave your mind a blank. Is this possible? What do you experience when you try this? Does this provide evidence of Schopenhauer’s “will”?

What distinguishes them? Humans ? Animals ?

Grades of the Will Humans are represented as being of a higher grade of will than animals. BUT since humans can suffer more than animals, does this mean their place is more desirable?

Suffering and Life Do you believe that life is suffering? If so, wouldn’t we all be better off dead? What, then, is undesirable about the prospect of human extinction?

The Human Incongruity Do you ever desire peace? ….But when satisfied, what can this desire lead to? Do you ever desire activity? …But when satisfied, what does this desire lead to?

Friedrich Nietzsche Positive Nihilism!

Is it more important to be happy, or o do great things?

Suffering Can suffering and struggle be a good thing? Would you like to have a life in which there was no suffering, and no struggle, but only pleasure? Why did you answer as you did?

How do you express your will in your everyday life? In your long-term ambitions? Would Nietzsche approve of you? Do you care?

Do you think that art is important in life, or not? Is it better to make art, to study it, or to collect it? What is it that you understand by “art”?

GOD? ALIVE?DEAD?

If God is dead, does this mean that the way to truth is through science? Or is this just as much a human construct as religion? If so, does our knowledge of the world extend only to interpretations?

Which are you? A leader, facing the pains and struggles of the world rejoicing in your strength? A follower, finding comfort and pleasure in your conformity?

If you’re a leader… …why do you conform so closely to the overall views and opinions of your classmates? Or is this really not true of you?

Do you think… …that happiness is valuable? Why?

Utilitarianism Do you believe that a life lived in pursuit of pleasure is a worthy human life?

Which would you choose? The life of a dissatisfied genius, or the life of a satisfied pig?

The Experience Machine Imagine that there is a machine that, once you were plugged in, would make you experience the most pleasurable life that you could imagine. Would you plug in?

Wonder and Distress in Kierkegaard, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and Mill How do the nihilistic doctrines of Kierkegaard, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche exemplify the authentic spirit of philosophy?

Suffering, anxiety, distress… Is the search for Truth invigorating, or too distressing, and something to be shunned? Would you rather seek truth, or repose in static comfort?

Would you really refrain from plugging into the Experience Machine? But….

What if your life now was a life within the Machine, and all of your friends, family, possessions and pets were illusory? Would you unplug, if given the chance to have a shot at seeing the Truth?