John the Savage manifests the kind of high, independent spirituality spoken of in "Beyond Good and Evil." However, while John seeks a more conventional, common good Nietzsche spurns any predetermined moral systems at all, and advocates an independent, emotional, and irrational wilfulness. Nietzsche's system, unlike Epictetus, is not based upon acceptance of the limits of the human condition, but seeks deeper happiness (not pleasure) in resistance.

But both Epictetus and Nietzsche seek happiness, not pleasure, as well as truth, and that is what is so vital, life-sustaining, and human about their philosophy. They advocate the need for freedom and choice, and resisting easy solutions and obedience to conventional norms. While Bentham might have found a utilitarian home in Brave New World, he would not have found happiness, much less truth. Happiness is different from pleasure, it is based upon choice and engagement in the world, and necessitates some internal self-willed...
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