Friedrich Nietzsche, a famous philosopher, once quoted "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." Many find this quote inspiration and true. Failure can be an important thing. It teaches us life lessons, makes us grateful, and pushes us to do better. It makes us empathetic, and makes it possible to achieve happiness. But on the other hand failure tests us. Failure certainly has the ability to tear us down. It can cause depression, poverty , and homelessness. What do you think about failure? Do you think Nietzsche's quote holds to be true?
I think failure definitely has the capacity to build a person up or tear them down, but it all depends on the person who faces the collapse. If a person has a high self-esteem, then failing will only motivate them to be better next time. On the other hand, if the person has a tendency to be depressed or have a low self-esteem, then whenever they fail, they feel like a failure also. This is not to say that it’s always this way: If the failure is of epic proportions, then even if you have top notch self-esteem, you too could end up depressed, in poverty, or even homeless.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, what Mr. Nietzche said is totally true. Failure can be really hard for used but every time you fail, you find a way where you are not supposed to go, and even if it does tear you down, how would you ever know what is like to be up there if you have never been down here. Even failure is important in our life.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the measure of failure or success? How do we know when we have failed? Is it only when we don't achieve the outcome we're seeking?
ReplyDeleteThere are many instances of "failures" leading to solutions to human problems, and "successes" producing enormous problems down the road.
Nietzsche implies that "suffering," not just "failure" strengthens our character, although real and perceived failures can, and often do, bring about suffering. But so can illness, the death of a loved one, climate change, war, and a number of circumstances over which the individual has little or no control.
Paloma's response implies that we have fixed personality traits that will determine whether we will benefit from failure or are damaged by it. This may be true, but it doesn't allow for the free will most of us believe we have to shape our own responses to events. Jorge implies there is a universal truth about failure - it always produces something of value. I believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Both nature and nurture will have some effect on how we respond to failure and suffering. However, there seems to be deep well of possibility in the human spirit that allows some people to overcome great difficulties, and rise above who they "are" or, at least have been. If it takes failure to reveal that depth, then I suppose we could say it serves an important purpose.
We might also think, however, about how, or whether, it is possible to tap into our human potential without experiencing suffering, or committing failures which can also cause others to suffer with us.