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AMOR FATI: Two powerful, Latin words, after which this website is named, represent a most singular and positive philosophy on life: The love of fate. Many people I’ve spoken to, aren’t even familiar with the concept. (Me too, until a few years ago). Generally speaking, you’d either need to be into philosophy or have a loose knowledge of Latin, to hazard a guess… It was Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900), who popularised this maxim. Once I heard it, I was interested in where the expression came from and what exactly it meant.
Let me break it down for you:
- Where did the AMOR FATI concept first appear?
- Did similar approaches and parallels to the core concept of AMOR FATI already exist?
- Which ancient Greek philosophers influenced Nietzsche’s ponderings?
- The meaning of AMOR FATI: What do online resources say?
- How should we interpret AMOR FATI?
- Related reading suggestions on the theme of AMOR FATI
NIETZSCHE’S COINING OF THE PHRASE AMOR FATI
“First the necessary – and this as beautifully and perfectly as you can! Love that, which is necessary – amor fati would be my morality, do all good to it and raise it up above its terrible origin to you.”
This is the first time the term appeared: In Autumn 1881, in Nietzsche’s ‘The Gay Science’ (Fröhlichen Wissenschaft). In January 1882, while in Genoa, one of his favourite cities, Nietzsche also wrote this:
“Amor fati: let that be my love henceforth! I do not want to wage war against what is ugly. I do not want to accuse; I do not even want to accuse those who accuse. Looking away shall be my only negation. And all in all and on the whole: some day, I wish to be only a Yes-sayer.”
Finally, in his autobiographical work, which was also his last philosophical writing, ‘Ecco Homo’ (1888/1889), Friedrich Nietzsche spelled out his concept of AMOR FATI:
“My formula for greatness in a human being is amor fati: that one wants nothing to be different, not forward, not backward, not in all eternity. Not merely bear what is necessary, still less conceal it – all idealism is mendaciousness in the face of what is necessary – but love it.”
Nietzsche’s concept for a successful and authentic life is unique, yet already, around two thousand years earlier, in the teachings of the Stoics, we can witness certain similarities to AMOR FATI.
PARALLELS TO AMOR FATI IN STOICISM
Lucius Annaeus Seneca (ca. 4BC-65AD), during the final years of his life, in his ‘Moral Letters to Lucilius’, dealt with the possibility of confronting one’s fate:
“The joy of the wise is consistent and uninterrupted; it is not disturbed by any accident or by any change of fortune; at all times and in every place he is calm and joyful.”
Or:
“Good men should not shrink from hardships and difficulties, nor complain against fate; they should take in good part whatever happens and should turn it to good.”
Often, as in Seneca’s work ‘De Vita Beata’ (On a Happy Life), indifference towards fate is mentioned. One should “…be content with one’s lot, such as it is, and […] become accustomed to it.” As the kids say nowadays: it is what it is!
Even Seneca’s stoic colleague Marcus Aurelius (121-180AD), the great philosophical emperor, ruminated in his famed work ‘Meditations’ on meeting fate:
“How lucky I am that it has left me with no bitterness; unshaken by the present, and undismayed by the future.”
He, of all people, would have had good reason to fear the future: In addition to fighting a rampant plague, he also had to contend with constant military conflicts with the Germanic tribes. Instead of complaining, and giving in to fear, he wrote his internationally renowned ‘Meditations’ – a unique and compelling philosophical work, brimming with courage and conviction (this little read, by the way, was my gateway drug into philosophy).
ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHICAL INFLUENCE ON NIETZSCHE’S AMOR FATI
In Nietzsche’s writing, one can detect a good deal of Epicurus’ (341–271BC) love of life. The Greek philosopher was the founder of Epicureanism, which, alongside Stoicism and Skepticism, was one of the three major philosophical movements that emerged during the Hellenistic period (late 4th to late 1st century BC). Ataraxia was the central theme and was defined by the Epicureans as the avoidance of pain. Unlike Seneca and his cohorts, the goal here was not to rise above pain through stability, but rather to forgo suffering altogether. This works perfectly when, for instance, you cut ties with toxic people in your life or reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. Do you really need that 37th ‘Total Protection+’ insurance policy (covering the potential breakage of your toilet roll holder)? Spare yourself the agonising paperwork: the risk is much more practical.
Avoiding the unpleasant, however, shouldn’t mean quoting good old Epicurus just to skip a challenging workout or to not have to confront difficult people, when it suits. In order to evolve, healthy resistance is essential, if not necessary, whether in training or in interpersonal relationships.
The Cynics also sought to achieve bliss. Strong, self-controlled, decisive, and far removed from all the social norms and values of the time, the most famous representative of this movement lived happily with his lot in a pot.
Did you get it? Exactly! Diogenes isn’t just a publishing house; these days, students usually only encounter him in ethics class, via the anecdote involving Alexander the Great: “Stand a little out of my light.” This was the only wish the Cynic, who lived in a pot, requested, when the most powerful man in the known world offered to grant any favour. Simple, pragmatic, and easy-going: AMOR FATI indeed. Incidentally, according to the author and philosopher Michel Onfray, the dwelling was a ‘pithos’ (large storage jar), but that doesn’t change much from my poetic paraphrasing, regarding the humbleness of this abode.
THE MEANING OF AMOR FATI IN ONLINE ENCYCLOPAEDIAS ET AL
What did Nietzsche actually mean, when he proclaimed AMOR FATI and love of fate? The internet offers up a wealth of information; I dived into Wikipedia, as well as two philosophy reference books, so you don’t have to…
According to Wikipedia, the maxim AMOR FATI, chosen by Nietzsche, bears a conceptual resemblance to Spinoza’s (1632–1677) “Amor intellectualis Dei” (intellectual love of God). This would imply a pagan version of that expression – an affirmative acceptance of the entire world, minus the traditional concept of God, since Nietzsche radically turned his philosophy away from Christian and religious values:
“God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him.”
Wikipedia also explains Heidegger’s (1889–1976) interpretation of AMOR FATI: it should not be seen as a sentimental love or a form of determinism for one’s life, but rather understood in a highly powerful way as the will to actively and creatively shape one’s own destiny.
You have the choice: to remain a passive observer and suffer, or abandon the victim’s perspective and have a hand in actively creating a successful life for yourself – accepting fate, which cannot be changed, whilst shaping and transforming everything else.
Upon closer inspection, ‘Spectrum: Modern German Thought in Science, Literature, Philosophy and Art’ even sees Nietzsche’s AMOR FATI approach as the opposite of Stoic acceptance. Instead of simple submission to fate, one creates oneself, as if an artist. With Dionysian style, saying ’Yes’ to the world, celebrating, laughing, and ecstatic, one must dance through life.
The online ‘Historisches Wörterbuch der Philosophie’ (Historical Dictionary of Philosophy) sees Nietzsche’s AMOR FATI as going far beyond the Stoic approach of resignation to fate. Affirmation becomes an uncompromising love of existence, under whatever the circumstances. This love is linked to the ‘Eternal Recurrence’ – another central theme of Nietzsche’s teachings. Wanting nothing to ever be different.
This ‘Eternal Recurrence’ is a fascinating thought experiment with the potential to change lives. Imagine if you always aligned your thoughts and actions with the question of whether you would like to experience them all over again and again, on a continuous loop – like listening to your favourite song. Except you wouldn’t just party to it for one summer, but for a lifetime and a few million more after that. This highest affirmation of life can only happen, if you lead a fulfilled, authentic life, being true to yourself, and celebrating, as it were, the infinite, rather than the unbearable, lightness of being. Nietzsche himself said of this:
The Greatest Weight:
“What, if some day or night a demon were to steal after you into your loneliest loneliness and say to you: ‘This life as you now live it and have lived it, you will have to live once more and innumerable times more; and there will be nothing new in it, but every pain and every joy and every thought and sigh and everything unutterably small or great in your life must return to you, all in the same succession and sequence – even this spider and this moonlight between the trees, and even this moment and I myself. The eternal hourglass of existence is turned upside down again and again, and you with it, speck of dust!’
Would you not throw yourself down and gnash your teeth and curse the demon who spoke thus? Or, have you once experienced a tremendous moment when you would have answered him: ‘You are a god and never have I heard anything more divine.’ If this thought gained possession of you, it would change you as you are or perhaps crush you. The question in each and every thing, ‘Do you desire this once more and innumerable times more?’ would lie upon your actions as the greatest weight. Or how well disposed would you have to become to yourself and to life to crave nothing more fervently than this ultimate eternal confirmation and seal?”
— Friedrich Nietzsche, The Gay Science, Aphorism 341.
You’ll probably need to let that one sink in a minute. Even though I’d personally prefer said spider in the ‘eternal recurrence’ to spin its web far, far away from me, this thought really blew me away, when I first stumbled upon it.
AMOR FATI FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE
On balance, Nietzsche’s AMOR FATI shouldn’t solely be viewed as an accepting ‘YES’ to those aspects of life you cannot change (such as the family you were born into, strokes of fate or the inevitability of death). It goes much further and much deeper. It is the philosophical ideal of a powerful, fulfilled LOVING and WANTING of these unalterable circumstances. The best part: you alone get to decide what you want to make of the rest, allowing you to dance into a self-determined future. Break with from the victim’s perspective and set yourself free. You are the protagonist in your own story; you can ensure your life succeeds on your own terms. You can liberate yourself from entanglements, continue evolving, into who you really are. I know of nothing more revolutionary, than living according to this maxim.
We, at AMOR FATI, are a passionate community of people, whose foundation is a strong philosophy on life, which helps us achieve a free and fulfilled existence: self-actualisation and unencumbered personal growth only happen, when we live in accordance with our own nature. This kind of change doesn’t materialise overnight, which is why we work on ourselves as continuously as possible.
‘Live dancing, die laughing’ is our motto. Dance through life and life will dance with you, regardless of your unalterable personal circumstances. What needs to happen for you to perceive your life as a dancing, light and fulfilled one? What doesn’t suit you, blocks you, and needs to go? How would an authentic life that suits you and your nature look like, so that you can die with a big fat smile on your face?
Currently finding it hard to get into a groove? Then, learn how! Start with good background music, in the form of a strong philosophy, and take the few first basic steps. You’ll also need a desire for personal development – across all areas of life (body, mind, soul, finances, social..)! Then you’ll notice, you’re moving closer and closer to a more beautiful, freer and stronger life, thriving, before dying happy. Love what you cannot change, and change what you cannot love – transform! You can start, for example, by adjusting your attitude toward things or your habits. If “minimally invasive” no longer cuts it, then dare to leap and free yourself, once and for all, from that which no longer serves you.
AMOR FATI is for anyone who possesses an open mind, the will to evolve, and the lust for an epic life; for those who have greater goals in mind than just having a high-paying career or a nightly Netflix binge (even though watching the occasional documentary or series is a nice treat); and for those who want to connect and network with like-minded, competent, creative and social people, in order to grow and inspire others to do the same. AMOR FATI is for people who want to live freely, fulfilled and fluidly – whatever form that takes. It’s the only way to truly revolutionise your life and your way of living.
AMOR FATI
Best Wishes
Babs
(Translation into English by Nikki Busuttil)
