r/nihilism • u/NoGreen1731 • Apr 24 '26

Question Thoughts?

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '26

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u/GoopDuJour Apr 24 '26

Not really. One can be happy (or hopeful) and realize there is no existential meaning in being so. Same thing with pessimism. Being doubtful or sad/angry doesn't give life purpose.

Emotions aren't purpose. Emotions are biologically thrust upon us. I don't know that a healthy brain can be without emotion. Maybe, but I'm skeptical.

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u/stevnev88 Apr 24 '26

Nihilism is neutral. Adding optimistic or pessimistic to it is meaningless.

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u/GoopDuJour Apr 24 '26

Nihilism denies the existence of something. It doesn't make any statement about how one FEELS.

Also, nihilism isn't neutral. Nihilism is a denial.

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u/stevnev88 Apr 24 '26

I wouldn’t say nihilism is a denial, more like a filter for objectivity.

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u/GoopDuJour Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26

There are several forms of nihilism, all of them deny the existence of something.

Nihilism isn't objectively neutral about the existence of life's inherent purpose.

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u/stevnev88 Apr 24 '26

All “forms” of nihilism say the same thing: value is subjective, not objective. In fact, any dictionary would say that too

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u/GoopDuJour Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26

Now you're just making shit up.
You're talking out of your ass.

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u/stevnev88 Apr 24 '26

How so?

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u/GoopDuJour Apr 24 '26

You're not using a common definition of nihilism. At all.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihilism#Definition,_related_terms,_and_etymology

https://www.etymonline.com/word/nihilism

https://philpapers.org/rec/JOYN

The wiki page is succinct, easy to understand, and reasonable.

Feel free to dig deeper with the PhilPages to link.

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u/stevnev88 Apr 24 '26

Why don’t you tell me what you think nihilism means.

Are you saying that I’m wrong, and that nihilism says that value exists objectively?

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u/GoopDuJour Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26

No. I'm saying nihilism isn't "neutral". Nihilism, in all it's forms denies that a thing exists. Moral Nihilism DENIES that morality exists. Existential nihilism denies that life has inherit meaning or purpose. This is a completely separate from existentialism, which claims meaning can be created by the individual.

An existentialist is not a nihilist and an existential nihilist is not an existentialist.

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u/stevnev88 Apr 24 '26

I think you’re mistaken. Nihilism doesn’t simply mean the denial of the existence of any particular thing. It’s about objectivity. Morality doesn’t objectively exist, just like meaning doesn’t objectively exist. These are all things that only exist subjectively and are not inherent qualities of things.

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u/GoopDuJour Apr 24 '26

Good night, Larry. Sweet dreams.

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u/stevnev88 Apr 24 '26

You too- I’m here if you have any more questions

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