Nihilism

[Imitation Saccharin]

True, though considering it is impossible to prove or disprove that it?s even possible agnosticism makes an equal assumption

"I don't know" is the same as "I can't know" in terms of total knowledge possessed

Also, If the alternative presents a degree of absurdity
it is not so much assuming as much as it is believing in the evidence, or lack there of.

Belief requires assumption

To your second statement: I have no idea what that means, remember I'm a little slow.

You confirm a broom is not in a closet by checking every space in the closet and confirming it is not there. By doing so you have provided evidence that each part does not contain a broom, and the combination is that the closet itself does not contain a broom.

 

[fluffylandmine]

i live life like I play an open-ended RPG, make it up as you go along, the only difference is I don't slaughter and pillage in real life...and there are no mythical beasts...or use of sword play, maybe I used the wrong analogy?

 

[PopeRocket]

http://webpages.charter.net/poperocket/nihilists.jpg

Zey Belief in NOSSING!

 

[Imitation Saccharin]

Does "believing in the evidence" require assumption?

Yes, that the evidence is not an aberration.

So what you?re saying is the only way to not assume is to simply ignore the idea?

Yup.
Technically this applies to all beliefs and knowledge is ultimately unknowable. But in general life it's enough to be pragmatic.

 

[Crazyshrink]

Nihilism is a stable philosophy. Why should knowing there is no reason for existing detract from said existence?

Yeah, everyone knows theres no reason for or in hoping for world peace or playing viva pinata but that does not mean that either is wrong or fufilling, just that as a mode for meaning they are both rather useless.

 

[Crazyshrink]

If there is no proof something exists, then there is aslo no proof it doesn't.
if you chose to believe, you grant it existance for you thereby giving it meaning.
if you chose to believe it doesnt exist, it doesn't to you, the reality of life is fluid and personal,
simply put if its there, it is and if its not, it isn't, but that doesn't matter.

 

[Imitation Saccharin]

Does this mean that the definition of atheism in which a person lacks the belief in god (not the belief that a god doesn't exist) is not assuming?

After all a person ignoring the idea completely would be without the belief in God.

But he would also be without a belief God does not exist.

Lack of positive belief covers both atheism AND agnosticism.

 

[WTEricson]

I was wondering if any of you have ever had a moment where you have became so lost in exestentionalism that you actually saw the world through someone elses eyes and had a rush that could only be decribed as a heart attack, but also the overflow of emotion rushing into the very core of your being? I know I am ignorant as much of this conversation and would have nothing to add exept my own opinion.

 

[hippo24]

Darth Nihilus was awesome...but most nihilists aren't like him ;(

or are they??

 

[Imitation Saccharin]

So depending on which definition of the title is being addressed, atheism and agnosticism may lack the assumption that theism carries?

Is that the agreement are debate or argument produces; I hope it is because I'm getting tired.

Yes, depending on definition atheism does not carry an assumption.

 

[mooncalf]

http://www.partiallyclips.com/index.php?id=1056
Last pane, gold.

 

[Spinozaad]

I'm a nihilist/cynic/existentialist in that I consider any human action, creation or intention -and even life in itself- as ultimately without any meaning. There is no higher purpose, there is no ultimate goal and no greater good that is universal.

You are what you do. The only judge of your actions, life and intentions is, ultimately, yourself.

There is no definition to 'fail' in life. The person who has no ambitions, but tries to live his 75+ years the way he enjoys it is no 'better' than the man who tries to make a career, and surrenders everything else for it.

Society itself is abstract nonsense, and not something I can surrender my own individuality for. I am what I am, I do what I do. Before I die, I will be able to say that I enjoyed my life; even though I will regret things I did and especially regret the things I never did at all.

How others will see me, as a great man or as an abomination to whatever, does not concern me.

I am responsible for my legacy, even though my legacy in itself is just as worthless as anything else.

And yes, I'm quite capable of enjoying my life.

 

[hypothetical fact]

Nihilism is pointless. Humanity should invest its resources into giving itself all the comforts reserved for gods: terraforming, cloning body parts to replace aging ones etc.

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

And yes, I'm quite capable of enjoying my life.

But, why should you? I certainly don't mean to mock, but only to raise a question I have about Nihilism. I can see that humans are naturally compelled to indulge themselves, but is there any less value in a Nihilist who chooses a miserable and pathetic existence? Or kills himself? Or intentionally hurts others? If I were to subscribe to my own understanding of Nihilism, I would have to recognize that condoning or condemning any action is the result of artificial constraints. I would not condemn any act. So, if nothing matters, what is positive about a happy and fulfilling life?

 

[Saskwach]

Nihilism is pointless.

Yes; and that is the point. Which is pointless. Which is the point. Which is pointless. Which is the pointlesspointpointpointalismpointificate-SYSTEM ERROR

 

[Graustein]

You know those theists who just don't understand why anybody would want to be atheist because it just seems so depressing?

I'm like that for nihilism.

 

[BurnoutPriest]

And yes, I'm quite capable of enjoying my life.

But, why should you? I certainly don't mean to mock, but only to raise a question I have about Nihilism. I can see that humans are naturally compelled to indulge themselves, but is there any less value in a Nihilist who chooses a miserable and pathetic existence? Or kills himself? Or intentionally hurts others? If I were to subscribe to my own understanding of Nihilism, I would have to recognize that condoning or condemning any action is the result of artificial constraints. I would not condemn any act. So, if nothing matters, what is positive about a happy and fulfilling life?

Perhaps that you want it. I'm pretty sure you can see no greater meaning in being kind or evil, but you could want someone to not be evil because it annoys/gets in the way of your life or your friends who add to your life.

 

[Amnestic]

You know those theists who just don't understand why anybody would want to be atheist because it just seems so depressing?

To be fair I laugh in the face of those theists and tell them that they're getting the short end of the stick.

 

[Graustein]

You know those theists who just don't understand why anybody would want to be atheist because it just seems so depressing?

To be fair I laugh in the face of those theists and tell them that they're getting the short end of the stick.

I just point out that I'm not actually depressed and I find joy in things that aren't omnipotent benevolent deities. It tends to confuse them.

 

[Random Argument Man]

Nihilism

-Denial of existence of any basic for knowledge or truth
-Rejection of morality, religion, etc.

The only rule is personnal enjoyement.

I think the pessimism point can be answered with the lack of knowledge of nihilism. Let me elaborate with an example of a discussion.

Person Ao you beleive in God?
Person B: No
Person A: Do you beleive there is a reason for life?
Person B: No, we have no purpose
Person A: So you don't beleive in anything like life, religion and the basics in society?
Person B: I beleive only on my own existence.


Even with this example, I don't think I can't really pinpoint nihilism.

That's solipsism.
Nihilism not only denies meaning but truth too.

That was a bad exemple.

There's still a theory that people are pessimistic of nihilism, because of the lack of knowledge.

Fight Club had a good portrait of nihilism.