Re:Optimistic Nihilism (2017)
by stcredzero on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @11:07AM
(#16755415)
If you “know” that the grand scheme of things itself doesn't, and definitionally cannot, matter, then this isn't a problem.
Well, you can't know, and exactly how do you define "matter?"
You seem to be more complaining about people who believe that there is fundamental meaning in existence, but that they are impotent with regard to achieving it
No. I'm complaining about people who believe that there should be fundamental meaning, but are resentful that they can't seem to achieve it.
actual (moral or existential) nihilists, who reject the existence of such meaning.
Someone without hope isn't a good mate in a lifeboat or a good buddy in a foxhole. If truth be told, your current circumstances aren't far off from either of those. People without hope aren't good company in life.
If you “know” that the grand scheme of things itself doesn't, and definitionally cannot, matter, then this isn't a problem.
Similarly, if you “know” that, whether or not you know what future events are, they are all determined and cannot be other than they are determined to be (or, equivalently, that every possible outcome will, in fact, be taken), then you can no that nothing you choose can matter in the grand (or even small) scheme of things, without knowing what will occur.
You seem to be more complaining about people who believe that there is fundamental meaning in existence, but that they are impotent with regard to achieving it, than actual (moral or existential) nihilists, who reject the existence of such meaning.