Quote:
Originally Posted by ScientiaOmnisEst
Where on earth does that definition come from? Nihilism as I'm talking about it is the realization that life is inherently meaningless; that the properties we assign to things are not inherent but are human constructs. Nihilism is supposed to involve learning the "truth" about reality.
What I'm suddenly wrestling with now is how the common reaction to nihilism, existentialism, appears to be rooted in delusion. Ascribing meaning where there is none, viewing order and value willfully, despite knowing they're human constructs. I don't know where to go at all. If I go on perceiving things as meaningful, even just to myself, I'll be deluding myself. If I choose to live a subjectivist life, fully indulging my personal viewpoints that keep things meaningful and beautiful, I'm living a lie. But I'm not sure what there is outside of it, other than something obscenely boring. But that weakness is exactly what I'm trying to avoid; being someone who "can't handle the truth".
In all honesty, I"m just drowning in shame and fear right now. I'm paralyzed.
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Any word ending in 'ism' is an ideology. You presentation or definition is but one definition of nihilism. There are two. The full definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary is:
1
a : a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless
b : a doctrine that denies any objective ground of truth and especially of moral truths
2
a : a doctrine or belief that conditions in the social organization are so bad as to make destruction desirable for its own sake independent of any constructive program or possibility
b capitalized : the program of a 19th century Russian party advocating revolutionary reform and using terrorism and assassination
I would have to sit down with you face to face to discuss the 'truth' there is in life. So many books have been written on truth it would fill a warehouse. To me truth is the following: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. They are constant in the human spirit. You are correct in your statement that much is subjective and of human construct. The pursuit of wealth(mammon), fame or power are three things that man seems to believe are of value but, for me these things are fleeting. Despite the human heart or, spirit as it were; not being tangible it is the deep things of life that this spirit searches.
I didn't mean to be flippant. Never give up your search for truth. You may be angered by some of the truth but pleasantly surprised by other truths.
Don't be ashamed. You are of value. That is a truth. Regards, M Poirot
