eternal recurrence

philosophy

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June 26, 2026

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Eternal recurrence is a philosophical concept describing the infinitely cyclical repetition of all things and situations within a finite universe. This idea is notably used in Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy.12

The concept poses a thought experiment: would one embrace life if they knew every moment would repeat eternally and without change? For Nietzsche, the ability to accept this eternal recurrence without evasion signifies a profound affirmation of life and a step towards becoming a superhuman. This idea is linked to the broader concept of eternity, which often involves seeking deliverance from the temporal to a timeless realm.23

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Friedrich Nietzsche
Nietzsche’s mature philosophy
The doctrine of eternal recurrence, the basic conception of Thus Spoke Zarathustra, asks the question “How well disposed would a person have to become to himself and to life to crave nothing more fervently than the infinite repetition, without alteration, of each and every moment?” Presumably most people…
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The doctrine of eternal recurrence, the basic conception of Thus Spoke Zarathustra, asks the question “How well disposed would a person have to become to himself and to life to crave nothing more fervently than the infinite repetition, without alteration, of each and every moment?” Presumably most people…
Read More