"Nihilism" has negative connotations, but I would like to explain my own use of it and offer a defense. As I define it, nihilism is neither positive nor negative. It is merely a certain view about the nature of human life. This is it: life has no objective purpose. We are accidental creations of a mindless universe. I think most can agree that this is not an unreasonable idea.
What are the benefits of nihilism? It allows one to relieve oneself of cant and piety, both of the humanistic and religious sort.
The benefit is not that one rids oneself of moralistic schemes--that's impossible--but that one is able to take all these moralities with a grain of salt. People have always had a tendency to think themselves too thoroughly right in matters which are subjective. This tendency is responsible for much of human suffering, for much of the whole history of grief.
One might reply, if I cannot take my creed wholeheartedly, then it seems a sham. I consider that idea a mistake. That is the salemanship view of life, the view that if I only believe something enough then it is bound to be true. There are certain practical aspects of life in which that idea might come in handy, but it won't do as philosophy.
For those interested in exploring nihilism further, I'm including a brief excerpt from a nihilistic bible that I located in the dusty corner of a used-book store (Pardon me. The books are referred to as "pre-owned.").
The Nihilistic Bible
1.1 The Master looks out into the world of men and finds no purpose under the sun. Though he travels to all the tribes of the world and hearkens to its wise men, of meaning he finds none.
1.2 Yet he rejoices to know that it matters not what he does or leaves undone. A hundred years from now it is all the same. The dog that lieth in the ditch is his equal as is the gnat swarming in the eye.
1.3 But tell us, Master, how we should live and what we should do.
1.4 It matters not how ye live or what ye do ultimately. You will go to your long home. There is nothing more tragic than this and nothing more true. But until the ultimate, consider the cows of the pasture munching contentedly. They do not worry about their future which is to be beef for the fat men of the earth. We must likewise ignore the slaughterhouse of time, the abbattoir of all.
1.5 Philosophy is poetry. What the wise men say is so much sparkling dust and word experiments. Rainbows and sunsets make us shiver with delight but soon disappear into nothing. So it is with all creeds. Even so, there is comfort in a creed, as in a warm fire, and I would urge ye to adopt one.
1.6 We do not understand, Master.
1.7 What stupid apostles I have. One must take one's apostles as one finds them, I suppose. Adopt a creed with full knowledge of what ye do. Then ye shall live authentically. Stay out of the churches. They exist to destroy your freedom of thought. A creed is a game which ye must play well to reap the profit. One must enter into the spirit of the game.
1.8 Be ye not loners in your creed. Hearken unto others and learn to enjoy their subtle pretensions, as they will enjoy yours, and what was once disgusting will become delightful; what was once ugly, beautiful; what was once ailing, healthy.
1.9 Life might be likened to a farmer who must choose which to harvest first, the wheat or the corn. While he is thus taking thought, a storm comes out of the mountains and destroys both crops.
1.10 Partake freely therefore of the bounteous earth, the dripping honey, the leavened bread, the flesh of goats, and the flowing wine, but beware lest ye forfeit the greater good, the comfort of women and the long journey of the mind.
1.11 He who utters pious cant can in no wise enter the church--
1.12 What church, Master?
1.13 Could you let me finish? He who utters pious cant can in no wise enter the church to end all churches, the anti-church church. It mattereth not if one ministers unto the mountain god or refuses the pale Galilean; it mattereth not if one loves the race or promotes the patriotism of the tribe. O ye hypocrites, will you paint the world blue and call that a purpose? Just as well that as the other, the giving of alms or the care of the sick or washing the feet of the Master. It is all arbitrary.
This message has been edited by robinrohan, 11-26-2005 11:30 PM
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