"When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you."

If you've never heard of the quote, this question isn't meant for you. but, you are free to answer the question posited below.

For those of you who took philosophy in college you may have encountered this quote, or if you are someone who dabbles in philosophy, fond of the subject, you'll probably know this quote and have discussed or pondered it's meaning. And, of course, I'm talking this famous quote attributed to the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. It can be found in his book "Beyond Good and Evil" (Jenseits von Gut und Böse), specifically in aphorism 146. This statement is often interpreted in various ways and has become one of Nietzsche's most quoted and discussed ideas.

For me, I've always thought it meant something like, if you look deep into yourself, ponder who you are, you might see who you are and you might not like it.

But, then again, you might love it.

so, what does it mean to you?

 

I never took philosophy in college but the first time I read this was over 20 years ago.

Awful presumptuous to think you could most likely only hear it in a college philosophy class or if you are a fan of philosophy.

It means when you go around opening doors you better be prepared to see what's on the other side.

 

Cleary, you didn't read the OP.

or if you are someone who dabbles in philosophy, fond of the subject, you'll probably know this quote

You should never assume, what another presumes.

 

Would you mind giving me about 20 seconds before you quote me so I can go back and review my post?

 

Well, you got your 20 seconds.

 

I mean before you immediately quote me.
One does not have to be even particularly interested in philosophy to understand what the meaning is.

 

No way in hell was that implied, you incorrectly drew that inference, and the tone of the post it should have been obvious.

Look, fatback, when I quote you, I just assume you know what the **** you are doing when you post.

But, I suspect this happens to others, it has happened to me on occasion, and I've never complained to anyone. I just say to them 'refresh your browser, you spoke too soon' and they will see that the post was corrected before they were critical, which you should have done.

 

I've always interpreted the phrase as meaning that the greatest enemy to ourselves is us. By the time an individual becomes an adult, they have accumulated a large repository of borrowed beliefs, and for the majority, they are never questioned or are falsely justified to avoid cognitive dissonance.

 

I thought the quote was about my cat’s big black pupils.

 

Has Fluffy been tabbin' again?

 

That look more like Buffy than Fluffy......

 

Her name is Graycie but I call her baby boop because she is half the size of my other cat.

also,, her nose is shaped like a heart

 

You first.

 

I don’t think that’s what it means at all. I think it just means that if you try to learn about evil or just something dark and secret you could be influenced by it.

 

I believe the entire quote is "He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you. An alternative translation is "Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you."

I've always interpreted the first part as a warning to be careful not to become what you fight, or the very thing you fight, and to avoid staring into the darkness inside and/or around you too long for the darkness may consume you.

To be more specific, I take this as a warning about our encounters with evil, injustice, suffering, etc.. These things have very powerful and potentially traumatic psychological and emotional effects on people, and if you're not careful they can destroy you psychologically and emotionally.

For a real life example of such encounters, Nietzsche's warning came to my mind before and after I watched the ghastly video of Nick Berg's execution. I chose to watch the video/gaze into the abyss so I could witness with my own two eyes exactly who and what we were dealing with in Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his fellow psychopaths in al Qaeda (and later what became the Islamic State/ISIS). Having witnessed that evil, I was careful not to make a habit of exposing myself to it, because it can take a toll on your psyche, and it's the same kind of thing that can take a toll on the psyches of the men and women who defend us and our country are repeatedly exposed to the evils and horrors of war and cannot look away.

So, if the quote has no relevance to you personally, perhaps you can make good use of it and help the men and women who could use your support and assistance in whatever way you can.

 

Interesting points. Good reply!

 

Thanks for the interesting discussion thread.

As you suggested in the OP, people can interpret Nietzsche's statement in many ways, and I think it's also possible to interpret "when you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you" as an observation concerning the nature of Nihilism. In other words, when you stare into the nothingness of Nihilism, that nothingness is going to stare right back into you. Perhaps, Nietzsche is telling us we would be better off gazing into something that affirms Life and gives it value, vitality and meaning to us. Thus, one might also say that you're better off seeking the positive in things instead of the negative. Unfortunately, in this age of Nihilism we live in, some people can only see the bad in things, whether it be themselves or the people, country and world around them. Incidentally, I think it is this particular brand of Nihilism that has poisoned our body politic and encourages destructive impulses and behavior.

 

I kinda take it as, 'yeah, you can take a deep look into your innermost self, but, do you really want to? You might not like what you find there.

 

I am fine with looking inward; I don’t measure what I see against what others suggest I should see or suggest I should aspire to see… I am me and I am enjoying the ride.

 

I have heard this concept before.....
and I believe that former Atheist and near death experiencer Mellen Benedict faced this question and describes what he was shown brilliantly. Based on what Mellen Benedict wrote... I would guess that Friedrich Nietzsche either had a near death experience...... .or perhaps dabbled in drugs that gave him something similar???????

https://near-death.com/mellen-thomas-benedict/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Nietzsche

 

Yeah, i experienced it on LSD. Now, some say it was a hallucination, but it sure didn't fit the description.

 

True.....
why did an LSD trip so transform the life of actor Larry Hagman if........
Mr. Hagman did not feel that there was something relatively REAL about his trip?????????


Larry Hagman’s LSD Near-Death Experience
BY KEVIN WILLIAMSPOSTED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2019

 

Thing about LSD, it can throw you into a void, and you'd better be up to the experience, because, if you are not, you are going to go through hell.

 

His use of the word "abyss" is dark and dangerous, while he could have used instead "light" which is positive. So he was probably referring to depression. The darkness of depression forces one to reevaluate one's life because it is not going well, that is the staring back. Making changes in yourself and positive choices going forward brings you out of depression (if it's not pathological).

 

Ah, Nietzsch. One of the most depressed Nilhilists to write from the depths of depression, describing the hole you can fall into in depression, something better described as the whirlpool of the black that can swallow you if you let depression take you. There is a way out if you make the choice to look into and learn from the abyss and avoid talling into it. I developed a simple formula and question that stimulates my curiosity (the light for life;
infinity > me > infinity; Why?