Nihlism

I agree, that's depressing. If I didn't believe everything happened for a reason I don't know what the hell I'd do.

Nihilism makes me sad ;< I like the thought of solipsism but I think that's just wishful thinking on my behalf.

Germ:

Nihilism makes me sad ;< I like the thought of solipsism but I think that's just wishful thinking on my behalf.

I'd say quite the opposite. NIhilism is the most uplifting philosophy out there, or it is to me, anyway.

flame.LEAF:

Germ:

Nihilism makes me sad ;< I like the thought of solipsism but I think that's just wishful thinking on my behalf.

I'd say quite the opposite. NIhilism is the most uplifting philosophy out there, or it is to me, anyway.

Life is meaningless....god damn I feel uplifted.

Germ:

Life is meaningless....god damn I feel uplifted.

Meaningless doesn't have to be looked at so negatively. Just because there isn't a point doesn't mean you should just give up. In lack of that kind of structure I'm able to find ways to make myself happy, without putting myself down with a meaning to constrain me. To me, nihilism is true freedom.

flame.LEAF:

Meaningless doesn't have to be looked at so negatively. Just because there isn't a point doesn't mean you should just give up. In lack of that kind of structure I'm able to find ways to make myself happy, without putting myself down with a meaning to constrain me. To me, nihilism is true freedom.

Hrm I never really thought of it that way ._.
I still like the thought of an after life though...although the more I think about it the more unlikely I find it but this -can't- just be it

Germ:

Hrm I never really thought of it that way ._.
I still like the thought of an after life though...although the more I think about it the more unlikely I find it but this -can't- just be it

Most people don't. xD

And I don't have any problem with that. I can see the appeal of wanting an afterlife, it's not for me though. I like the life I have right now, and wouldn't trade it away for another one. I don't think I could handle being immortal either, or reincarnated multiple times. I'm in the life I am now to make the best of it and be happy, if I was bothered with the thought of an afterlife... I'd be worrying about doing the right things to get in it, and then all of a sudden my life has become some kind of purgatory, just waiting for this afterlife where I will truly live. I'd rather truly live in the now.

My friend is into Nihlism and she is incredibly fun-loving and happy.

minaj.:

My friend is into Nihlism and she is incredibly fun-loving and happy.

I'm not at all surprised. Nihilism is the most uplifting philosophy out there, IMO. Even more so than optimism, because with that there's always a chance you will be let down. Not with Nihilism.

I find it really odd how most people view it as incredibly depressing. xD

LEAF.:

I'm not at all surprised. Nihilism is the most uplifting philosophy out there, IMO. Even more so than optimism, because with that there's always a chance you will be let down. Not with Nihilism.

I find it really odd how most people view it as incredibly depressing. xD

One could argue that with nihilism there's never a chance to be uplifted too and that true happiness can't be the result of an state of absolute neutrality towards everything as happiness is the opposite of a neutrality.

kafka.:

One could argue that with nihilism there's never a chance to be uplifted too and that true happiness can't be the result of an state of absolute neutrality towards everything as happiness is the opposite of a neutrality.

Happiness isn't the opposite of neutrality, happiness is the opposite of sadness, whereas neutrality is what you make of it.

True neutrality though, as great as it sounds, is impossible in human society.

I get what you're saying though. It's up to interpretation, which is precisely why I view neutrality as a good thing whereas others see it as depressing.

I disagree strongly that nihilism relates a lot to pessimism. There's nothing wrong with the idea that life has no meaning, and yet people seem to think it means we should all just end it now. If anything, a meaningless life should be lived to the full, in that we'd be taking advantage of something that at the same time happened by pure coincidence and had no forethought, so to speak.

Alexface.:

I disagree strongly that nihilism relates a lot to pessimism. There's nothing wrong with the idea that life has no meaning, and yet people seem to think it means we should all just end it now. If anything, a meaningless life should be lived to the full, in that we'd be taking advantage of something that at the same time happened by pure coincidence and had no forethought, so to speak.

This.

Nothingness does not equal depression, depression is something that happens when you aren't creative enough to make something out of that nothingness.

^ I would argue against that. I think that oversimplifies depression. I mean, people who believe in the Afterlife and other such things (i.e. individuals who are not nihilists) can get depressed.

Creativity, similiarly, could be argued that creative people can get depression. Indeed, it could be argued that depression is slightly more prevalent in artistic spheres.

I mean, I argee with your statement that a nihilistic outlook doesn't equal depression but yeah.

^Maybe I should have been a little clearer with my words. xD

I didn't mean depression as a whole, but depression in relation to nihilism, I would say is the just of it. And creativity, I don't mean artistic creativity, I mean creativity in the literal sense. As in the ability to create for yourself a reason to be happy.

People overthink stuff way too much, who cares if there's no reason for anything, make the best of what you get. Maybe nothing happens after you die, maybe not, you will never know.

There is no point in wasting effort thinking about something like this when you cannot do anything about it.

Aaronnn:

People overthink stuff way too much, who cares if there's no reason for anything, make the best of what you get. Maybe nothing happens after you die, maybe not, you will never know.

There is no point in wasting effort thinking about something like this when you cannot do anything about it.

Jeez, thanks. I understand now that the works of each and every philosopher who has ever existed is worthless because what's the point of questioning anything?

I don't see what's wrong in wondering about metaphysics or philosophy in general. It doesn't harm anyone, does it? And some people can't help it. I actually find it quite interesting, practicality/usefulness aside. Some people are making the best of their lives when they wonder about this kind of things.

Aaronnn:

People overthink stuff way too much, who cares if there's no reason for anything, make the best of what you get. Maybe nothing happens after you die, maybe not, you will never know.

There is no point in wasting effort thinking about something like this when you cannot do anything about it.

Just thought I'd point out that second statement sounds a lot like the idea of fate. A completely apathetic fate, yes, but fate nonetheless. You can't change it, right?

I just don't understand why you would think about what happens after you die when you are still alive. There's only one way to find out ;)

Aaronnn:

I just don't understand why you would think about what happens after you die when you are still alive. There's only one way to find out ;)

Well, there's the impact of what you did in your life will have on the world, loved ones will miss you, etc... Isn't that important to you?

You die, you die. There's no point to life, there is no good or evil. Those are beliefs I share completely with nihilism. I don't ignore life because it's pointless, though. I think of it as an empty slate, an easel with no paint. It's up to me, and those I care about, to give life a purpose. When I die that's it, so I enjoy what I have.