Discussion Why are you Nihilist?

[cassxtho]

Nihilism has never made sense to me. I understand why people feel this way, but for me even at my most suicidal or worst state of mind it has never really made sense to me. I think it could be because I am a girl, most of the nihilists I've encountered (IRL and online) have been men, so maybe it comes down to how our brains work. I try to stay away from nihilists irl now, the one who I let vent to me frequently would always lash out- even if I didn't say anything! I remember one time I was afraid he would hit me, luckily, he didn't but he made me cry multiple times.

Anyways, I just wonder why people turn to nihilism or why they think it's better than any other kind of philosophy. I would also appreciate it if anybody who decides to explain their way of thinking includes their gender, I want to see if this trend of guys being nihilist more than girls is actually real or if I'm making it up in my head lol.

 

[metalpi]

I'm a guy and I'm more into realism over idealism or optimism. I'd like to know as well

 

[Faejin]

I would also appreciate it if anybody who decides to explain their way of thinking includes their gender, I want to see if this trend of guys being nihilist more than girls is actually real or if I'm making it up in my head lol.

While I am not a nihilist as I believe that life has meaning, but that suicide is a choice one can make as long as it is what they really want.
Not what you asked for, but I believe that the increase of nihilism in men may be due to the culture of having to seem strong or manly.

As a man, I have never once spoken about how I feel to any of my friends nor family. We are just expected to keep strong and not show weakness so we just don't.

Now, many may say that any emotional talk gets branded as bitch boy behaviour, but it does not. The actual reason we rarely talk about our feelings is more because we think it will be branded as bitch bot behaviour or we are just not used to it so we are not comfortable talking about it.

the fact so many of us are just not comfortable talking about our emotions and feelings is also why so many turn it into jokes to return to funny satire.

There is also that men tend to populate more of the internet that nihilism reaches to more than women from what I have seen, like Discord, but I cannot actually confirm this at all and is basically just a wild guess.

The overall emotional isolation and the expectation to be manly is what I believe to be the key reasons why lonely men have a much greater chance to be nihilist, but I can't speak from the perspective of a woman so I can't say for sure.

 

[cassxtho]

While I am not a nihilist as I believe that life has meaning, but that suicide is a choice one can make as long as it is what they really want.
Not what you asked for, but I believe that the increase of nihilism in men may be due to the culture of having to seem strong or manly.

As a man, I have never once spoken about how I feel to any of my friends nor family. We are just expected to keep strong and not show weakness so we just don't.

Now, many may say that any emotional talk gets branded as bitch boy behaviour, but it does not. The actual reason we rarely talk about our feelings is more because we think it will be branded as bitch bot behaviour or we are just not used to it so we are not comfortable talking about it.

the fact so many of us are just not comfortable talking about our emotions and feelings is also why so many turn it into jokes to return to funny satire.

There is also that men tend to populate more of the internet that nihilism reaches to more than women from what I have seen, like Discord, but I cannot actually confirm this at all and is basically just a wild guess.

The overall emotional isolation and the expectation to be manly is what I believe to be the key reasons why lonely men have a much greater chance to be nihilist, but I can't speak from the perspective of a woman so I can't say for sure.

I agree with what you believe. I also appreciate the perspective; I think male loneliness is an under looked issue, the guy I mentioned in my post was my ex-boyfriend and he refused to talk to his guy friends or anybody else about his issues because he was afraid of being branded as a "bitch boy" like you mentioned. Imo men's issues are as important as women's ones. People like to argue about which is worse, but it's like comparing apples to oranges. I never thought about it in this way though, thank you.

 

[ilovecats]

I've always been more aware of my existence and irrelevance. I've been trying to seek meaning from religion and other philosophies, but my mind doesn't allow me to. Every point of view other than mine doesn't make sense to me. I do understand them, but can't embrace them as an objective truth.

At first, I was just an atheist, mostly because religion seemed too "magical". I always thought based on logic. Once an individual with this way of thinking tries to find an objective meaning behind our existence he is left disappointed. After month of overthinking, I came to the conclusion that we live for nothing. Every memory of us, every thing we achieved, every trace of our existence will be wiped out of reality at some point and there's no way of overcoming it. Why should I care when I have no permanent effect on the universe? Even if I achieve great things, in the end, the universe will be as I've never existed.

Furthermore, when we compare our lifespan to the infinite amount the universe will exist, it is pretty easy to say that our lives will literally be like they never happened, like trying to find an individual atom in the entire universe, but worse.

It just makes sense to me. I really would like to have another perspective, but my mind doesn't allow me to. Sorry if it is hard to understand. I don't know how to explain this feeling.

 

[resolutory]

I'm a guy and a Nihilist. Well I think I am a Nihilist. People call me a Nihilist, so I probably am. To me, everything ends and so there's not much point.

I think it's possible to enjoy life for, probably, most people, so that, arguably, gives meaning to life. But I feel that it's an artificial meaning. It's a meaning that people create for themselves. Which is fine, if that's what keeps them going. But, I just perceive the way I view things as being the most honest view of life and even if I tried to give myself the artificial meaning of life that other people do, I just wouldn't be able to ignore (what I consider to be) the truth that truly nothing matters.

To me, I would rather die because I'm going to die anyway and continuing to live, in my view, is risking getting myself into situations I don't want to be in, in exchange for nothing.

I don't think that people should be Nihilistic, I would not recommend being a Nihilist. I just simply can't ignore what I percieve as the truth. I do think the inevitability of death should be accepted more than it is, though, and maybe, as a result, I think society should be less anti-Nihilistic.

 

[PlasticFace]

I'm male. I don't know if I'd consider myself a nihilist but I definitely share some of the same ideologies. I'm an atheist and I don't believe in any higher power. I didn't even know people actually believed in a god until I was in third grade. Religious people have their gods to live for and devote their lives to but if other people don't have a god, what are we meant to do? We were put on this earth against our wishes and completely confused. I don't believe we were just made to live and die, however. If we were meant to just die I don't think we'd have an SI. Life can feel like never-ending torment and that's because, for the most part, it is. We live, we hurt, we hurt more, and we die. Of course, I don't know what happens after death, but I sure do hope it's better than humanity. Even if it is just black nothingness with no sort of consciousness. We're risking it all to finally get to that place even though we don't know what it is and that should say a lot.

 

[ilovecats]

I would not recommend being a Nihilist

Absolutely! It is horrible trying to live a normal life knowing that it is for nothing. I do believe that life is worth living if you can be happy. Afterall, living without being aware of your insignificance is better than not existing at all. I would recommend everyone to not seek an objective meaning behind our existence and just live, to keep hold of their beliefs, such as christianity, buddhism or even stoicism, as they give a "meaning" for them to live.

 

[cassxtho]

I'm male. I don't know if I'd consider myself a nihilist but I definitely share some of the same ideologies. I'm an atheist and I don't believe in any higher power. I didn't even know people actually believed in a god until I was in third grade. Religious people have their gods to live for and devote their lives to but if other people don't have a god, what are we meant to do? We were put on this earth against our wishes and completely confused. I don't believe we were just made to live and die, however. If we were meant to just die I don't think we'd have an SI. Life can feel like never-ending torment and that's because, for the most part, it is. We live, we hurt, we hurt more, and we die. Of course, I don't know what happens after death, but I sure do hope it's better than humanity. Even if it is just black nothingness with no sort of consciousness. We're risking it all to finally get to that place even though we don't know what it is and that should say a lot.

I understand. Religion is tricky because imo most people really only believe because they were born into it. I'm an agnostic christian, I believe the bible is loosely based on reality. Most ancient historians wrote their accounts to push a narrative, unlike current ones, if you even want to consider the bible as a series of actual historical events. I agree that we were not made just to die. Thank you for sharing your perspective!

 

[SamTam33]

I had to look up the definition and quickly skimmed over the different types. Existential Nihilism makes the most sense to me.

We're born and we die. Most of us do very little in between to justify our existence.

However many thousands of people we've interacted with over a lifetime - only a tiny few will actually know we're dead.

The world does not need us in order to spin. The sun can rise just fine without a single human.

But I wouldn't call that a philosophy - it's a fact.

I'd need to do a lot more research before I could confidently label myself as anything. I'm a woman, btw.

(Also, the irony of men being afraid of nicknames like bitch boy... Being scared of nicknames is exponentially more lame than talking about your feelings)

 

[Unending]

I don't believe that everything is meaningless. For example, pain and pleasure have objective value to them in the sense that even if they are triggered by different events for different people, pain is always unpleasant and pleasure is always desirable. That being said, I do find a lot of things meaningless. I just don't think I could truthfully say that everything is.

 

[stermc]

I am a woman and I identify myself as a nihilist (kind of going to pessimism).
There are not much to explain, it's simply because I don't believe life has any kind of meaning. I do believe it's possible for each person to give their lives a meaning (but it's made up, not intrinsic to life), but life itself has no reason to be. Our existence and the world are made out of pure inconvenience.
And I tend to go to pessimism, because I do not believe there is a way of progress in this existence.
We come from nothing and to nothing we go.
But thinking like that doesn't stop me from studying and agreeing with some other philosophies. Even if, for me, life has no meaning, I think there are things that can matter during this existence.
Nihilism tend to deny life, so there are a lot of philosophers who say suicide is the only reasonable thing to do, but that's something I don't agree with.
I am more into the part of nihilism that is pessimistic and skeptical; that denies and/or questions beliefs and values.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I think there are actually quite a few female Nihilists on Sasu. I'd say I don't have any strict philosophy on life. I can see why people find it all pointless but I can also see how people find value in certain things. I think both viewpoints are valid- I feel like it depends on how your life has turned out and what you have been through.

I've actually wondered in the past whether any Nihilists regretted finding their philosophy. I get the impression many Nihilists feel like they have found the 'truth' and once seen- they can't un-see it.

The way I see it though is- yes- they could well be right- ALL of this could well be utterly pointless. In which case- it really doesn't matter what we do in life. I suppose that could turn a Nihilist hedonistic- they don't need to pay attention to any social or religious laws- yet- I wonder if it more commonly goes in the other direction- they end up doing nothing or- getting nothing from what they do achieve- because- what's the point? I don't know- it just seems like a recipe for depression to me.

Ultimately- it likely doesn't matter in the whole scheme of life but I think on an individual level- finding some worth in what you're doing makes it easier to live than thinking everything and everyone is worthless. Clearly- most of us here don't actually WANT to live- so I imagine it could be a strong motivator to CTB. Still- it's not always as easy as all that- so I wonder if Nihilists struggle more with day to day living until they are able to go.

I got lost in creativity very early on. It's what got me through a very tough time. So- I can see how some people are driven by individualism. On the other hand- this current society doesn't seem to value the Arts (in my experience.) So- my 'meaning' has become rather redundant.

I think looking for a fundamental purpose- other than the instinctual need to survive and reproduce doesn't tend to yield much. I can understand the Nihilist frustration that there is so much potential for suffering built in to the world and our lives in it- yet- no firm reason as to WHY we should suffer so much. I do definitely share this frustration- so- I suppose I do have some Nihilist ideas but I wouldn't say I was one outright.

I DEFINITELY don't think people who have a more positive view of the world are necessarily deluding themselves (although, perhaps some are.) I think their perception is just different. I don't think it's all that fair to say their thinking is 'wrong'- just as much as I get irritated when we're all made out to be irrational depressives. That's just my feeling though. (I'm female by the way.)

 

[BasqueClown]

I'm nihilist because I discover in my worst mind stages that emptiness is a eternal feeling attached to humans. Whatever you are, whatever you do, whatever your social status, whatever you net worth... they will always a void in your mind/heart/soul.
Some people avoid with drugs. Some others with religion. And they only under anhestesia. The void is always here.
So soon or late I will die and I don't regret not being happy as others in this world. Only smile as a social gesture. Only being gentle to not be a asshole. But internally nobody will heal my nihilism.

 

[heyrabu]

I'm a female and I'm a nihilist.
I think because I'm raised in Buddhist family (which see life as suffering), nihilism makes me cope a little better with the absurd situation that we are stuck here in this life, suffering without any meaning whatsoever. Because I see everything as meaningless, I have lower expectation on things in life, so I tend to rarely upset when my efforts and kindness is not returned despite all of my sacrifice in the process. This kind of mindset protects my feelings. And this kind of mindset makes me do things that can brings me happiness without any holdback. "If everything is meaningless anyway, why can't I do something to make me and my loved ones happy right now, right at this moment?"
I don't know if this make sense, excuse my broken english, it's not my mother's language

 

[FuneralCry]

I believe that it's simply a fact that life has no objective purpose and meaning. All that life is, is just an useless and unfortunate consequence of evolution that never needed to exist. All that we are destined for is to die and inevitably be forgotten about, and all that life is, is just a pointless and unnecessary distraction from the fact that we will cease to exist and eventually it will be like we never existed at all, as we very likely won't even exist in the memories of those who are still in this world.

Any religion or "meaning" to life is just a fictional concept or delusion invented by people who were unable to come to terms with the true meaningless and insignificant nature of existence. Life is just a cycle of endless suffering that sadly continues to repeat all for the sake of it and the truth is that such a thing as useless as this could never be meaningful. But I believe the fact that humans have evolved to have the ability to be conscious and aware means that many of them question the meaning of life as the truth that we exist all for no purpose is too hard for them come to terms with. This could explain why so many people devote their lives to religion.

 

[cassxtho]

But I believe the fact that humans have evolved to have the ability to be conscious and aware means that many of them question the meaning of life as the truth that we exist all for no purpose is too hard for them come to terms with

I actually believe this is the meaning behind the story of Adam and Eve lol. Thank you for sharing.

"If everything is meaningless anyway, why can't I do something to make me and my loved ones happy right now, right at this moment?"

This gives me a new meaning to Nihilism, most of the Nihilists I've met used it as an excuse to do nothing or act like an asshole. It never occurred to me that people could think about it this way. Your English is great btw, if you hadn't said it wasn't your native language I wouldn't have known.

 

[katara]

I'm a female and I'm a nihilist.
I think because I'm raised in Buddhist family (which see life as suffering), nihilism makes me cope a little better with the absurd situation that we are stuck here in this life, suffering without any meaning whatsoever. Because I see everything as meaningless, I have lower expectation on things in life, so I tend to rarely upset when my efforts and kindness is not returned despite all of my sacrifice in the process. This kind of mindset protects my feelings. And this kind of mindset makes me do things that can brings me happiness without any holdback. "If everything is meaningless anyway, why can't I do something to make me and my loved ones happy right now, right at this moment?"
I don't know if this make sense, excuse my broken english, it's not my mother's language

that's interesting I didn't know that about Buddhism. I always thought it was just about peace, but I know some of them think if you are bad/evil in this life you come back as an animal or another person. I'm not sure if that makes any sense to me, I like the concept of an afterlife, but at the same time, some of those possibilities are disturbing. I'd hate to come back as a dog that's just put in a cage at a mall somewhere and i sit in the cage all day long and have to let rich idiots pick me up and use me for breeding or something else stupid like that. I don't think everything in this world is meaningless, but humans definitely make it seem that way. I think the human race has more potential, the world is run by evil people and nobody does anything to change it.

 

[LaVieEnRose]

A lot of people's worldviews are colored by their personal experience more than they'd probably care to admit. We always need to properly account for what influence our experience has on hoe we relate to the world. Otherwise it becomes an endless positive feedback system.

 

[Gustav Hartmann]

I had to "google" what nihilism exactly means and I am none the wiser. When I was younger I was a soliptist, now I belive in the methods of natural sciences and doubt that we have a free will. I am an old white male.

 

[resolutory]

I watched a video yesterday called 'Star Wars: How Anakin Skywalker Evolves into Darth Vader' and it had an interesting line: 'Even if free will is an illusion, it's an illusion worth preserving to avoid outright nihilism.'

 

[cassxtho]

I watched a video yesterday called 'Star Wars: How Anakin Skywalker Evolves into Darth Vader' and it had an interesting line: 'Even if free will is an illusion, it's an illusion worth preserving to avoid outright nihilism.'

Thats very interesting although some of the Nihilists on this thread use it for a more optimistic take on life, so I guess it kind of depends more on how people veiw the philosophy.

 

[hrsprayqn]

I'm not a nihilist, and one of my personal pet peeves is people who pretend to have read Nietzsche and claim to be nihilists despite the fact that Nietzsche argues for a continued pursuit of meaning in the arts, passions to find a subjective meaning.

I'm an absurdist, but I'm done pushing the rock up the mountain. Not that it matters anyway, I mean, not in any objective fashion.

If you can revolt against the absurd existence of our lives and continue to live happily with subjective meaning I wish you all the best, but I feel apathy now and feel it's almost time to ctb.

 

[BluesRunTheGame]

I'm more of a pessimist (realist). This character from True Detective explains it well.

 

[Mr Myemna]

I dunno if i am a nihilist or not, i do not see meaning as something that is intrinsic to life,
it's more of a thing you make up, you assume meaning in somehing and then you do it, i think the idea that meaning is somehow found and that one should just experiment until they find it is a pretty bogus concept to me
I have my own set of meanings in life, but i know they don't hold any value aside from what i assign to them, i know i made them up, but so is all meaning, nothing bad about it.

 

[ForeverLonely82]

Yes. having tried to live for many,many years. finding no meaning behind it's purpose. whats the point? exactly, there isn't one. two people fucked and you're here.

 

[Anhedoniac]

The only meaning that I've found in life so far, is to suffer. The only reason why we exist. To suffer and to continue the cycle of abuse by selfishly procreating.