Breaking Boundaries in Literature: The Nobel Prize and Korea's Untold Stories

Chapter 2. Truth is an Illusion. History is Only Open to Interpretation

In sharp contrast to the city's hustle and bustle, this place was tranquil. As I dashed up the stairs to the third floor, my breath came in ragged gasps, and sweat drenched my body, but my eyes remained focused solely on the philosophy books lined up on the shelves. I quickly located Nietzsche's works, flipping through the pages of Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Beyond Good and Evil, The Will to Power...

As I read, my thoughts drifted back to Choi Min. "If he had made different choices, where would he be now? In another parallel universe, whose philosophy would he adhere to?"

I flipped through the pages, immersing myself in Nietzsche's theories. While I couldn't fully grasp the meaning of eternal recurrence, the philosophy embedded in The Will to Power seemed intimately connected to the concept of parallel universes. What Nietzsche sought to convey in The Will to Power was not merely the pursuit of physical power, but rather the fundamental vitality and will inherent in human existence. This desire transcended mere survival, intertwining with a relentless drive for self-overcoming. But how did this very will relate to the notion of parallel universes? I pondered momentarily.

Parallel universes posit a realm of infinite possibilities separated by distinct choices. In contrast, the will to power is a formidable impetus that strives to carve one's own fate and life rather than merely conforming to circumstances or accepting conditions. Though these two concepts may initially appear to diverge, they converge in their emphasis on the boundlessness of human potential and choice.

Time slipped away, and soon it was 4 PM. Lost in reading Nietzsche's works, I forgot my hunger. Oddly, my internal clock failed to chime, and all that occupied my mind were the words of the page. After requesting a one-week loan for The Will to Power, I leisurely made my way home.

Settling in front of my monitor, I began drafting my manuscript. I typed, crafting phrases that challenged the assertion of eternal recurrence. If Nietzsche's eternal recurrence underscores the repetition of a singular universe, then The Will to Power delves into the exploration of infinite possibilities within that universe. Each moment of choice empowers humanity to transcend itself, creating new possibilities, which, though they may endlessly circulate within a single universe, can continuously transform within it—this notion resonates profoundly with the concept of parallel universes.

Thus, the direction of my manuscript became clear.

Q. Can humans make choices through free will? - Yes

Q. Is free will an illusion, or does it exist? - Yes

Q. Therefore, is this world not a simulation? - Yes

Q. If we reject the simulation hypothesis, would we accept the concept of a multiverse? - Yes

Q. Would we acknowledge parallel universes within the concept of a multiverse? - Yes

Established Direction

[Summary of the Manuscript]

"All universes respect the value of different choices, and everything that exists holds meaning. Beyond binary thinking, everyone's choices—be it ideology, gender, destruction, creation, war, or peace—are significant. In essence, my manuscript will illustrate that destruction is creation, and conflict is peace; these themes are not opposing concepts but rather exist in mutual necessity, reflecting the duality of existence. Like the will to power (Wille zur Macht), it presents a worldview that transcends itself to create new values."

As I stumbled upon an intriguing piece of news while aimlessly surfing the internet, I discovered that the Sungkyunkwan University Museum had curated a historical exhibition dedicated to Nietzsche's philosophy. This space housed various philosophical discussions and materials inspired by his thoughts, igniting a resolute determination within me to visit it the very next morning.