demon of the eternal return of the same

is a thought experiment which asks about your reaction to a demon who tells you that your life, in each of its details, will repeat innumerable times'.

What, if some day or night a demon were to steal after you into your loneliest loneliness and say to you: 'This life as you now live it and have lived it, you will have to live once more and innumerable times more' . . . Would you not throw yourself down and gnash your teeth and curse the demon who spoke thus' Or have you once experienced a tremendous moment when you would have answered him: 'You are a god and never have I heard anything more divine.' (The gay science, via wikipedia)

demon of the eternal return of the same, n.All

demon of the eternal return of the same