Amor fati is a concept associated with philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche that embraces the active loving of one's fate, including all the hardships endured-as without them, one would not be as they are. While this concept is often discussed at the individual level, the core idea is that this collection version of amor fati can be a guiding principle for reconciliation and progress after mass violence, as it focuses on transforming guilt into action and acknowledgement into improvement. Using an upside-triangle method starting with the individual level, I move upward describing what the uptake of collective amor fati would look like at a small collective, proximal community, population community and identity-based collective level along with the three conditions necessary for amor fati to be established. I also describe markers of successful adoption of amor fati as well as address common political problems that arise when working with larger communities.
I use Germany's post-Holocaust national memory to explain how collective amor fati might be conceptualized, and more broadly propose some of the related lessons that other post-atrocity states can draw from it. I am providing my own theory of collective amor fati, o?ering a realistic glimpse of what application to di?erent population levels looks like and what successful outcomes might be. Applying amor fati to the collective sphere can change how history is seen and valued, without leading to the evasion of responsibility. It also serves to alter a nation's relationship with their past for the better while actively envisioning the construction of a healthier and hopeful future. Collective amor fati aims to benefit entire populations and serves as a realistic option for those who are dedicated to self betterment and supporting collective flourishing.
I use Germany's post-Holocaust national memory to explain how collective amor fati might be conceptualized, and more broadly propose some of the related lessons that other post-atrocity states can draw from it. I am providing my own theory of collective amor fati, o?ering a realistic glimpse of what application to di?erent population levels looks like and what successful outcomes might be. Applying amor fati to the collective sphere can change how history is seen and valued, without leading to the evasion of responsibility. It also serves to alter a nation's relationship with their past for the better while actively envisioning the construction of a healthier and hopeful future. Collective amor fati aims to benefit entire populations and serves as a realistic option for those who are dedicated to self betterment and supporting collective flourishing.