Nihilism

[Death Diviner]

Is there a way to combat nihilism within the self?

 

[Forever Sleep]

Nihilism is a belief. I guess it's going to be difficult if it's a belief system you feel most in tune with. But, I suppose one way would be to try and replace it or at least dilute it with other ideas.

Maybe look at other people. An athlete for example. They likely don't hold a nihilistic attitude. They likely believe in what they are trying to achieve and it probably gives them a huge sense of purpose. Are they wrong or deluded to feel like that? Even if you think their life and achievements looks pointless, it likely doesn't make much difference to how they feel. So, maybe that's one way- to acknowledge that Nihilism isn't some universal truth. It's simply one way of looking at the world.

If you don't want to see the world like that anymore, then I guess you have to try and do the reverse. Try to find meaning and purpose in something- anything.

 

[aimless_]

If you don't want to see the world like that anymore, then I guess you have to try and do the reverse. Try to find meaning and purpose in something- anything.

I don't think it's that simple. If you feel like nothing matters, exploring things to find purpose in feels fruitless. I'm not OP, but I personally feel that nothing really matters and I am curious on what you think would help that.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I don't think it's that simple. If you feel like nothing matters, exploring things to find purpose in feels fruitless. I'm not OP, but I personally feel that nothing really matters and I am curious on what you think would help that.

Honestly- yes I agree and see the problem. Then, I suppose it's annalysing where this came from. Have they always seen no purpose and felt no joy in anything? They truly have no time where something felt worth doing? If they did have more fulfilling times though at some point but, something changed- what changed? Is there any way of changing it back?

Again, this may not exactly be a solution as such. Someone may know they enjoy some things more than others. They may enjoy playing sports, walking in the countryside, eating ice cream more than they enjoy working. But, they may not be able to afford to do those things without working. And, they may not have enough time for them. I understand that frustration and it does tend to make you start to think that the set up of life is so work orientated and shit that nothing really compensates for that and, it's all kind of pointless anyway. I do actually hold some Nihilistic views myself to be honest.

I suppose I feel like the path to feeling purpose is feeling enjoyment out of something. So- that's the starting point in a way. I expect we all enjoy some things more than others. I simply don't believe that for some people, all life activities are the same- they hate or enjoy hoovering just as much as listening to music for example. So, I suppose we try to pursue the things we find more tolerable to make life more tolerable.

I think I and other people can be pretty stubborn though too. So, I think it's also being honest with ourselves about that. Are we determined to be miserable? Are we wallowing in it? Why are we so drawn to it? Is it because it's easier for one? If we decide that we've already failed and you know what? There's no such thing as failure anyway because, none of it matters- it's an excuse to not even bother trying. Are we using it as an excuse not to face things that scare us or, to just be lazy? (I'm including myself in this by the way.) Or is it truly motivated by this philosophy?

But no- I do agree with you. If there's truly nothing a person sees any value or point in anymore, I'm not sure it's right or even possible to change their view. The OP at least seems to want to change their view though so- I guess that in itself is motivation for them to try other ways of considering their life.