The fundamental question of political philosophy, one that precedes questions about how the state should be organized, is whether there should be any state at all. Why not have anarchy?
Robert NozickRead
What else can matter to us, other than how our lives feel from the inside?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quality of our lives is determined by our internal experiences rather than external circumstances.
This quote by Robert Nozick emphasizes the importance of subjective experiences and feelings in defining what truly matters in life. It suggests that our internal state, our emotions, and the way we perceive our existence are more significant than external achievements or material possessions.
Themes
LifeFeelingsExperienceSubjectivityHappiness
In practice
Example use cases
In a personal development seminar, this quote could inspire participants to focus on their internal experiences rather than external validation.
More from Robert Nozick
All quotes βGiven the complexity of interpersonal relationships and institutions and the complexity of co-ordination of the actions of many people, it is enormously unlikely that, even if there were one ideal pattern for society, it could be arrived at in an a priori fashion. And even supposing that some great genius did come along with a blueprint, who could have the confidence that it could work
Robert NozickRead
There are only individual people, different individual people, with their own individual lives. Using one of these people for the benefit of others uses him and benefits the others. Nothing more. What happens is that something is done to him for the sake of others. Talk of an overall social good covers this up.
Robert NozickRead
And although it might be best of all to be Socrates satisfied, having both happiness and depth, we would give up some happiness in order to gain the depth.
Robert NozickRead
I think philosophers can do things akin to theoretical scientists, in that, having read about empirical data, they too can think of what hypotheses and theories might account for that data. So there's a continuity between philosophy and science in that way.
Robert NozickRead
The history of philosophy is actually full of people who argue for rather wild and incredible views, and their reputations are based on the skill of arguing for them.
Robert NozickRead
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