Nothing really matters

Nothing matters at all, nothing 'really' about it. It is and has no meaning.

Why are you interested in discussing nothing, Napoleon666?

(May 17, 2011 at 2:52 pm)Aerzia Saerules Arktuos Wrote: Nothing matters at all, nothing 'really' about it. It is and has no meaning.

Why are you interested in discussing nothing, Napoleon666?

Meh, from the feedback it does seem as if it doesn't bloody matter after all!

I don't know really, I see it as very true in what it is. I figured many people might disagree, and say that with their 'Almighty Lord' there is purpose etc.

This is the philosophy section after all, so I wanted to see why other people might have any reasons to think that we have 'purpose'. It doesn't necessarily have to be a god, some people may view the world differently that's all I was thinking.


I just thought it might be interesting to get into, but maybe not everyone shares my interests

As a theist, I believe that there's a purpose to our existence which is to acknowledge the greatness of our Creator. I think it's very unlikely that the whole universe, the earth, the millions of different animals (including ourselves), are a result of blind and purposeless forces which came about merely as an accident or some kind of a "quantum fluctuation," as some believe. Since it is not an accident, then we are not an accident either, so there's a meaning and a purpose in our lives even though people can also create their own purposes for themselves to live by. Well, at least that's what I make of my existence here.

And yes, I'm well aware of the fact that we are like a speck of dust in the enormous cosmos which includes billions of others galaxies, stars, and planets (and maybe even multiple universes). We are not THAT special, afterall, but we are still great in many ways.

Take it apart if you want to. That's my two cents for now. I have more to offer, though.

Being into absurdism (and consequently lumped into nihilism at the same time) I understand where you are coming from when you say you are tired of people talking bad about it. I personally can see great reason why people would move to nihilism and why it would be so popular.

I personally have a few beefs with nihilism:

#1 - it allows for suicide at any time for any reason, even if for no reason at all. Absurdism considers suicide to be the biggest philosophical question of all (nope, not god... imagine that?!?!). Absurdism says suicide is escaping reality, and therefore not an option. Fiath is considered "philosophical suicide" and escaping reality, and therefore not an option.
#2 - Nihilism does sometimes turn out to be negative in those who embrace it. Absurdism says the mix between the human condition and an inhuman cosmos (the absurd) should be both embraced and revolted against at the same time. This encourages a great sense of humor and a keen eye for bullshit.
#3 - Nihilism says there is no purpose outside of biological and chemical reasons, at all, ever. Absurdism says there is no INHERENT purpose between the cosmos and the human condition, but temporary purpose COULD be found in the journey..even if that journey is merely pointing out the absurd.
#4 - Nihilism says there is no god or deities at all. Absurdism brushes off the idea of gods as being an important choice, because if deities exist, then they are the cause of the absurdity, and therefore should be revolted against as well.

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(May 17, 2011 at 7:32 pm)Rayaan Wrote: As a theist, I believe that there's a purpose to our existence which is to acknowledge the greatness of our Creator.

This is supposed to be a better choice? Thats like saying "Our purpose in life is to acknoweldge that a tree exists and praise how beautiful it is".

(May 17, 2011 at 7:32 pm)Rayaan Wrote: I think it's very unlikely that the whole universe, the earth, the millions of different animals (including ourselves), are a result of blind and purposeless forces which came about merely as an accident or some kind of a "quantum fluctuation," as some believe.

Sadly, for you, many highly intelligent scientists have proven the opposite. These are not "beliefs". They are theories based on evidences, as opposed to faith and just making shit up to make yourself feel better.

(May 17, 2011 at 7:32 pm)Rayaan Wrote: Since it is not an accident, then we are not an accident either, so there's a meaning and a purpose in our lives even though people can also create their own purposes for themselves to live by. Well, at least that's what I make of my existence here.

So a godless universe has to be an accident? You have to slip humanized language into something non-human? Do rocks have "accidents"? Does dirt and sand have "accidents"? So how come the universe has to be an accident? Well, because you are trying to twist words andtrick us into agreeing with your delusion. How about look up the definition of "accident" for once.

(May 17, 2011 at 7:32 pm)Rayaan Wrote: And yes, I'm well aware of the fact that we are like a speck of dust in the enormous cosmos which includes billions of others galaxies, stars, and planets (and maybe even multiple universes). We are not THAT special, afterall, but we are still great in many ways.

Take it apart if you want to. That's my two cents for now. I have more to offer, though.

I believe there is personal worth in humanity, but the denomination that you put on that worth with that suck ass purpose of "acknowledging a creator" takes away from it in my opinion

(May 17, 2011 at 7:58 pm)apophenia Wrote: This is an example of the genetic fallacy, "where a conclusion is suggested based solely on something or someone's origin rather than its current meaning or context. [1]" The idea that the universe was created for a reason does not imply that our creation is on account of that or any other reason. Perhaps the universe was created for the creation of hyper intelligent insects who live one galaxy over, and we're the equivalent of pond scum -- a mere side effect of the way Allah chose to create these insects (through evolution).

I understand what you're saying, but I wasn't implying that the universe was created JUST for us. It may have been created for other reasons, like for the creation of hyper intelligent insects, as you said. But we human beings could also have a purpose along with those insects. The two are not mutually exclusive. Therefore, I don't think that I made a genetic fallacy. There may even be other advanced civilations in other planets in distant galaxies which have their own separate religions.

(May 17, 2011 at 8:50 pm)reverendjeremiah Wrote: This is supposed to be a better choice? Thats like saying "Our purpose in life is to acknoweldge that a tree exists and praise how beautiful it is".

Yes, I think that's a better choice because God is an all-encompassing idea which is believed to be the source of everything whereas a tree is just an object. So, that's not a good comparison.

(May 17, 2011 at 8:50 pm)reverendjeremiah Wrote: Sadly, for you, many highly intelligent scientists have proven the opposite. These are not "beliefs". They are theories based on evidences, as opposed to faith and just making shit up to make yourself feel better.

A lot of scientific concepts are based on evidence indeed - but not everything - such as string theory, the existence of higher dimensions, time travel, etc. Yet, there are many scientists who believe them. So the point is, they do "believe" in those things because there is no evidence for them although they can be supported within a scientific framework unlike religious beliefs.

(May 17, 2011 at 8:50 pm)reverendjeremiah Wrote: So a godless universe has to be an accident? You have to slip humanized language into something non-human? Do rocks have "accidents"? Does dirt and sand have "accidents"? So how come the universe has to be an accident? Well, because you are trying to twist words and trick us into agreeing with your delusion. How about look up the definition of "accident" for once.

When I said "accident," I was speaking of the idea that the universe just happened by chance or by a random event without ever being intended to be created. Sorry for the semantic confusion.

(May 17, 2011 at 8:50 pm)reverendjeremiah Wrote: I believe there is personal worth in humanity, but the denomination that you put on that worth with that suck ass purpose of "acknowledging a creator" takes away from it in my opinion.

I believe there is a personal worth in humanity also, but for me, believing in a Creator doesn't seem to subtract from that because I can accept both at the same time.

Nevertheless, if there really isn't a creator behind the universe, and if my religion is a complete bullshit, then I wouldn't be unwilling to accept that because then I'm free as a bird. I could do all the things that I'm not allowed to do in Islam and I don't have worry about all the sins that I have done nor worry about going to Hell for my sins. My life would be easier because I don't have to do things like pray, fast, and go to the mosque. So, I think that atheism is a much more peaceful thought than religion, and therefore, the common argument that I believe in Allah just because it makes me "feel better" is not true.

(May 18, 2011 at 2:47 am)Rayaan Wrote: God is an all-encompassing idea.

See my signature.