Nihilism - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Zander · 03-02-2004, 01:50 AM

Basically, it is the rejection of faith/society and promotes human evolution. If people weren't so caught up in their quarrels over janet jackson's tit, we could actually accomplish something stellar such as space travel or self-improvement by learning.

thats just an example of a nihilist POV

SecretMethod70 · 03-02-2004, 03:22 AM

That presumes that debating (and I mean the healthy kind) about religion in search of common ground and understanding is not something stellar in itself. I dare you to convince anyone who's not an atheist of that point. The key is to understanding that while space travel, etc are amazing feats (indeed, things I look forward to and wish for advancement in), the faithful person believes that reaching better understanding of God and of others is at least equal to if not greater an accomplishment.

The problem comes from the human egotistical side of religion that creates the us and them, me and him mentality. That's not something representative of religion or faith but, rather, is something representative of human flaw.

Fibrosa · 03-04-2004, 03:15 PM

Actually it was my understanding that Nihilism was the knowledge that there are no profound truths, no overriding morals, etc.

rsl12 · 03-04-2004, 05:03 PM

fibrosa is right: zander is talking about the evolution of the species towards something higher, which was also highly touted by Nietzsche. And Wagner. And Hitler for that matter. Nietzche promoted that along with nihilism.

anti fishstick · 03-04-2004, 09:56 PM

Nietzsche wasn't nearly as miopic as Hitler and he had a fallout with Wagner. Nihilism really focuses on how what has been created for mankind to exist (particularly morals) are constructs, and we should realize that what limits us is our built-in preconceptions that have been force-fed to us. The concept of evolution, for Nietzsche, is a highly individualized experience that is as free from man-made constructs as possible. It is no wonder that the existentialists were highly influenced by him. The Superman still does not exist, and in this post-modern era it is looking less and less likely that he can due to the totality of hyperreality.

The concept of space travel and self-improvement by learning, to me, do not seem very strong in their evolutionary goals from a nihilistic standpoint because they don't do for the rise of the individual. Self-improvement by learning is vague, because I think most learning is simply the socialization process... but, if by learning, you mean creating and breaking down the imposed moral boundaries that have been created for us - then you may be on to something.

[edit]

Janet forgets to sign off

-Will

03-02-2004, 01:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zander Banned Location: Vegas/So. Cal	Nihilism Basically, it is the rejection of faith/society and promotes human evolution. If people weren't so caught up in their quarrels over janet jackson's tit, we could actually accomplish something stellar such as space travel or self-improvement by learning. thats just an example of a nihilist POV

03-02-2004, 03:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	That presumes that debating (and I mean the healthy kind) about religion in search of common ground and understanding is not something stellar in itself. I dare you to convince anyone who's not an atheist of that point. The key is to understanding that while space travel, etc are amazing feats (indeed, things I look forward to and wish for advancement in), the faithful person believes that reaching better understanding of God and of others is at least equal to if not greater an accomplishment. The problem comes from the human egotistical side of religion that creates the us and them, me and him mentality. That's not something representative of religion or faith but, rather, is something representative of human flaw. __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

03-04-2004, 03:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Fibrosa Insane	Actually it was my understanding that Nihilism was the knowledge that there are no profound truths, no overriding morals, etc. __________________ D'oh!

03-04-2004, 05:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
rsl12 On the lam Location: northern va	fibrosa is right: zander is talking about the evolution of the species towards something higher, which was also highly touted by Nietzsche. And Wagner. And Hitler for that matter. Nietzche promoted that along with nihilism. __________________ oh baby oh baby, i like gravy.

03-04-2004, 09:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
anti fishstick Post-modernism meets Individualism AKA the Clash Location: oregon	Nietzsche wasn't nearly as miopic as Hitler and he had a fallout with Wagner. Nihilism really focuses on how what has been created for mankind to exist (particularly morals) are constructs, and we should realize that what limits us is our built-in preconceptions that have been force-fed to us. The concept of evolution, for Nietzsche, is a highly individualized experience that is as free from man-made constructs as possible. It is no wonder that the existentialists were highly influenced by him. The Superman still does not exist, and in this post-modern era it is looking less and less likely that he can due to the totality of hyperreality. The concept of space travel and self-improvement by learning, to me, do not seem very strong in their evolutionary goals from a nihilistic standpoint because they don't do for the rise of the individual. Self-improvement by learning is vague, because I think most learning is simply the socialization process... but, if by learning, you mean creating and breaking down the imposed moral boundaries that have been created for us - then you may be on to something. [edit] Janet forgets to sign off -Will __________________ And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~Anais Nin