Nietzsche Experience of Overcoming Hardship
In a short essay of at least 750-1000 words, please respond to the following:
- Nietzsche famously proclaims that any worthwhile achievements in life come from the experience of overcoming hardship. For him, a life of comfortableness and ease is a worthless, wretched, and wasted life. Do you agree or disagree with this assessment of the good life? Why or why not? In support of your argument, please refer to specific passages from the video (Alain de Botton’s “Nietzsche on Hardship—Philosophy: A Guide to Happiness,” available on YouTube via the link below) as well as to the textbook reading assignment, and your own life experiences and observations. DO NOT USE ANY SECONDARY SOURCES BESIDES THE VIDEO.
Click on the link for video:
Grading rubric
The following standards are numbered in order of importance for grading.
- The essay demonstrates an understanding of the material: The student has correctly grasped a philosophical problem or question, has explained it accurately, and on the basis of a substantially correct interpretation of any texts involved. Key terms are used correctly. The essay shows evidence of the student’s independent thought, and is written in his or her distinctive voice. Quotations are used, when appropriate, to support the writer’s analysis, and an explanation is offered for each quotation. 25 points
- Essay has a clear and coherent argument: There is a clearly stated thesis, and support for this thesis in the body of the paper. Each paragraph contributes to this argument, and follows logically from the paragraph before it. The argument presented is persuasive. 25 points
- Essay fulfills assigned task: The essay addresses the entire assigned question or topic, elaborating on important ideas in satisfactory depth, but without bringing in anything extraneous or irrelevant. The introduction of the essay focuses and provides clarity for the paper. Important terms are clearly and accurately defined. Each paragraph conveys a coherent, organized thought. 20 points
- Essay obeys standards for good persuasive writing: the writer shows that he or she is comfortable using philosophical language, and the prose is clear, not awkward. The structure of the sentences reflects the relationships between/among the ideas discussed. 15 points
- Essay is technically correct: The essay has been carefully and thoughtfully proofread. The argument is written in complete sentences, with punctuation that does not mislead the reader. There are no mistakes in spelling, grammar, word choice, and punctuation.