Nihilism (?)

[It Aint Necessarily So]

I think I am becoming a nihilist. It seems simple enough, but perhaps it is not so simple. Life is meaningless. Do I have that about right? Please fill me in on what I am missing.

You didn't mention whether this makes you feel unhappy, empty, or hopeless. This might be of interest to you:

Optimistic nihilism, comes from an article called What is Optimistic Nihilism? - Louis Laves-Webb

"Optimistic nihilism views the belief that there is no underlying meaning to life from a perspective of hope. It’s not that we’re doomed to live in a meaningless universe–it’s that we get the chance to experience ourselves and the universe we share. The optimistic nihilist looks at a world lacking meaning and purpose and sees the opportunity to create their own."

This is a familiar idea to many, including the secular humanists. Life has no inherent purpose. It's only objective meaning is that life is both possible and actual, and perhaps that life is an inevitable result of chemistry under the right circumstances. Yet man is capable of creating meaning and purpose to life and to his life himself.

Of course, this is at odds with theistic viewpoints that claim that God created man for a purpose, and also, with the claim of many believers that if there is no god, life is meaningless - pessimistic nihilism.

 

[YmirGF]

I am not here on this Earth and alive due to Providence, as my religious upbringing led me to believe.

So? You feel burned because the marketing brochures oversold the product? Look at it this way. You are in charge and are responsible for your mistakes and successes. In theory, your realization should lead to empowerment not cynical nihilism and hedonism. Oh, and as one who lived the hedonistic lifestyle to the max, you might want to rethink doing that. It's not all that it's cracked up to be.

Rather, by chance did molecules clash together over the course of billions of years. I am but one result of chance.

So? Deal with it. No one really cares.

Where these molecules originate from I cannot know.

So? Where you wanting to return them for a refund or summin?

And the true physical nature of my consciousness that is often understood as "I" is unknowable.

So? Isn't that part of what makes this effort interesting?

Refusing to believe in religion, and accepting I am not in a personal position to discern the reality of nature, what am I to conclude?

That you are a flawed human animal suffering from distorted thinking and imperfect senses resulting in confusing data sets.

Meaning becomes merely a preference. It has no objectivity. Each to their own it is.

What you do not understand yet is that so-called "meaning" is what binds us on a very deep level. It is others that give us meaning and purpose. You are not connecting enough with your community.

 

[bobhikes]

I think I am becoming a nihilist.

It seems simple enough, but perhaps it is not so simple.

Life is meaningless.

Do I have that about right?

Please fill me in on what I am missing.

I used to represent myself as a Nihilist and I still believe life in meaningless, but I now know I can have fun while alive. There will be no meaning to my life but I can enjoy myself until it ends. Kinda like your Nihilistic Hedonistic style.

 

[Hermit Philosopher]

I think I am becoming a nihilist.

It seems simple enough, but perhaps it is not so simple.

Life is meaningless.

Do I have that about right?

Please fill me in on what I am missing.

There are different types of nihilism but by your OP, I take it you are referring to Nietzsche’s sort?

I cannot myself think of a nihilist who is happy with their standpoint and have ironically yet to come across one who isn’t secretly still searching for meaning, but you only really have one way to find out whether nihilism is your thing: you must live by it for a while and see where it takes you.

Combined with the hedonism you are considering, my guess is that a nihilistic approach -put into proper practice- may leave you feeling somewhat lonely, empty and numb. But it should nonetheless be a valuable, personal experience and, you can always abandon the outlook if you should find it to cause too great distress.

Hoping you learn plenty of new, interesting things about yourself.

Humbly,
Hermit

 

[YmirGF]

There are different types of nihilism but by your OP, I take it you are referring to Nietzsche’s sort?

I cannot myself think of a nihilist who is happy with their standpoint and have ironically yet to come across one who isn’t secretly still searching for meaning, but you only really have one way to find out whether nihilism is your thing: you must live by it for a while and see where it takes you.

Combined with the hedonism you are considering, my guess is that a nihilistic approach -put into proper practice- may leave you feeling somewhat lonely, empty and numb. But it should nonetheless be a valuable, personal experience and, you can always abandon the outlook if you should find it to cause too great distress.

Hoping you learn plenty of new, interesting things about yourself.

Humbly,
Hermit

Well said!

 

[osgart]

Life is never meaningless so long as a person lives, and to the extent to which they love.

 

[YmirGF]

Life is never meaningless so long as a person lives, and to the extent to which they love.

I'm a silly human that thinks almost everything has meaning and part of the adventure in life is in the discovery.

 

[syo]

Life is meaningless.

I have 5 husbands. My purpose here is done.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

If you're to ask me, Nihilism is a philosophical black hole. Get too deep into it, it becomes inescapable.

Philosophy, in my opinion, is best used to avoid Nihilism. Most observations of our world seem to confirm this world and our existence is random and without objective meaning, philosophy and art are tools to fill that gap. We have one meaningless life, why throw it away to the nullifying depression that is Nihilism?

 

[Heyo]

I think I am becoming a nihilist.

It seems simple enough, but perhaps it is not so simple.

Life is meaningless.

Do I have that about right?

Please fill me in on what I am missing.

Nihilism - Wikipedia

So, not that simple. But basically, yes, nihilism is about the lack of (objective) meaning in everything - and about the lack of (objective) values.
Since I agree with those positions, I might be a nihilist by definition but I wouldn't call myself one as I don't fret about it. It's just a brute fact, the more important question, which nihilism doesn't answer, is what we make of that.

 

[PureX]

Death unfortunately grips us all one way or another throughout our mortal life even before we personally die. To lose a mother. To lose a friend. To lose a child. To lose a pet. All familiar to me.

Perhaps I will be simultaneously a nihilist and a hedonist. I can hold the belief that there is no divine or existential meaning to life. By chance I am here on this Earth. It was not a divine plan for homo sapiens to evolve to the top of the food chain.

I love my family and those close to me, so I can live as a hedonist throughout this mortal life. Focus on my own pleasure and happiness as well as my family's and close ones well being. I think that's what I want to do with my life.

Just sounds like a lot of selfishness, to me.