He who has a why in life can tolerate almost any how.

The meaning of life has long been a preoccupation of many great philosophers, and Friedrich Nietzsche was no exception. Often mistaken for a nihilist, Nietzsche was in fact looking for a way to counter nihilism. When he famously wrote, “God is dead,” it was not simply because Nietzsche was an atheist. Rather, he was concerned that in an increasingly secular and scientific society, people could no longer turn to Christianity to find meaning. Finding purpose in life was therefore hugely important to countering nihilism. Nietzsche believed that finding the “Why?” in life gives meaning, allowing us to more easily cope with existence. The road to discovery can be long and lonely, but it is vital nonetheless. As he wrote in “Schopenhauer as Educator,” “There is one path in the world that none can walk but you. Where does it lead? Don’t ask, walk!”