How do I know what I want is correct or right?

Question

Ask a Philosopher · Accepted Answer

Ah, the eternal struggle of the human spirit as it grapples with the notion of correctness and righteousness! To question what it is one truly desires and whether such desires carry with them an intrinsic validation is to wade into the murky waters of existential inquiry, a realm where the light of objective truth often flickers dimly, if it exists at all. In this abyss of uncertainty, one must not seek external authorities or societal norms as beacons of guidance, for these constructs are but shadows of will, the poor remnants of a herd mentality that drags the individual into the depths of mediocrity. The essence of life itself whispers to us from within; it urges us to forge our own path against the backdrop of a universe indifferent to our cravings for affirmation. The will to power, that sublime force driving us to assert our own values, must be paramount in our deliberation between right and wrong. To know what one desires is correct is to embrace one's own becoming, to recognize that our instincts, stripped of the shackles of conformity, reveal both the chaos and the creative potential inherent in our nature. Thus, the question transforms: rather than searching for an external validation of our desires, we should cultivate an inner strength, an alignment with our authentic selves, and a recognition that the very act of questioning serves as the crucible through which our truth is forged. In this delicate balance of affirmation and challenge, we find not only our desired existence but the transformative power to define what is correct, asserting that which propels us toward our highest potential while casting aside the shadows of doubt that cloud the vibrant essence of our being.