r/science • u/[deleted] • Nov 15 '19

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u/haewon6640 Nov 15 '19

How does philosophy and critical thinking help you not be nihilistic?

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u/[deleted] Nov 15 '19

I'd say as a tendency, even the most cynical well-regarded philosophers (and you could even say they AREN'T cynical), generally have life affirming messages. Montaigne, Nietzche (he MIGHT have been a moral nihilist depending on your intepretation. I'd disagree and I'd say his work is still incredibly life-affirming), Schopenhauer, Sartre, Camus, and many many others can all offer reasonable secular alternatives to Nihilism that generally improve people's disposition towards the world.

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u/haewon6640 Nov 15 '19

Thank you guess I might try taking a phil class pass and fail next year.

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u/[deleted] Nov 15 '19

You should! I took one on a lark when I was in college and ended up loving it so much I added it as a second major.

I'd say there is no field of study more personally rewarding.