The Socrates Café — Philosophers Quotes Edition - Oba 7th floor.
Details
This is a new edition of the Socrates cafe with a new format.
In this edition, the moderator will pick a specific quote, topic or question from a known philosophers (example; Voltaire, Kant, Marcus Aurelius, Hypatia of Alexandria, Rousseau, Machiavelli, Descartes, Plato and others).
A summary around a page will be provided in the event (See below - The topic of this Session)
Please take the time to read.
The Moderator will read the summary and give an introduction of the topic. Then, we will have an open discussion, and a final round when everyone will give their conclusions.
The topic of this Session
Friedrich Nietzsche — “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”
When Nietzsche is pointing to a fundamental insight about the human condition: humans are meaning-seeking beings. Pain, chaos, and uncertainty are unavoidable parts of life, but what determines whether they crush us or strengthen us is the interpretation we give them.
Meaning as a Source of Strength
The “why” is not just a goal or ambition—it is a value that organizes a person’s life. It might be devotion to a loved one, a calling, creative work, moral responsibility, or self-transformation. When such meaning exists, suffering stops being random. It becomes purposeful, or at least understandable. This gives inner stability even when external conditions are harsh.
Without a “why,” suffering feels empty and unjust, leading to despair or nihilism. With a “why,” suffering can be endured because it is connected to something larger than the immediate pain.
Suffering as Transformation
Nietzsche believed that struggle is not merely something to escape, but something that can forge strength, depth, and individuality. The quote does not suggest passive endurance; rather, it implies active engagement with suffering. One does not merely survive hardship, but uses it as material for growth. The “how” may involve loss, hardship, or limitation, but the “why” allows a person to shape those experiences into self-overcoming.
Psychological and Existential Insight
This idea anticipates modern existential psychology. When people lose meaning, even comfort can feel unbearable. Conversely, people facing extreme hardship often show remarkable resilience when they feel their life still matters. Meaning anchors identity and prevents a person from being reduced to their circumstances.
Affirmation of Life
Ultimately, the quote reflects Nietzsche’s broader philosophy of life-affirmation. To have a “why” is to say yes to life despite its suffering—not because life is easy or fair, but because it is worth living on one’s own terms. Meaning allows a person not only to endure life, but to affirm it, even in its darkest moments.
In short, Nietzsche is saying:
Life’s pain is unavoidable, but despair is not. Meaning turns survival into purpose and suffering into strength.
About the Philosopher
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/nietzsche/
RULES
- Please be on time! We will start at 19:00 so if you arrive late, please join quietly. If you are a first timer, make sure you take extra time for finding the location.
- If something unexpected happens, please cancel as soon as possible. There's lovely people on the waiting list
- If you repeatedly sign up and don’t show up, you can expect to be moved to the waitlist next time.
- You may disagree with others, but please do so respectfully without personal attacks.
- Please keep your attendance to one event per week to ensure everyone has an opportunity to attend.
- Just to meet expectations, this is a Philosophy event to discuss Philosophy and it's PRIMARY function is NOT to be focused on Self Help/Psychology or Theology. Thought those topics can be a point of discussion from time to time. Please take that into consideration when signing up!
See you soon!