Black People Politics : Nihilism

[jamesfrmphilly]

Nihilism
Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy. While few philosophers would claim to be nihilists, nihilism is most often associated with Friedrich Nietzsche who argued that its corrosive effects would eventually destroy all moral, religious, and metaphysical convictions and precipitate the greatest crisis in human history. In the 20th century, nihilistic themes--epistemological failure, value destruction, and cosmic purposelessness--have preoccupied artists, social critics, and philosophers. Mid-century, for example, the existentialists helped popularize tenets of nihilism in their attempts to blunt its destructive potential. By the end of the century, existential despair as a response to nihilism gave way to an attitude of indifference, often associated with antifoundationalism.

It has been over a century now since Nietzsche explored nihilism and its implications for civilization. As he predicted, nihilism's impact on the culture and values of the 20th century has been pervasive, its apocalyptic tenor spawning a mood of gloom and a good deal of anxiety, anger, and terror. Interestingly, Nietzsche himself, a radical skeptic preoccupied with language, knowledge, and truth, anticipated many of the themes of postmodernity. It's helpful to note, then, that he believed we could--at a terrible price--eventually work through nihilism. If we survived the process of destroying all interpretations of the world, we could then perhaps discover the correct course for humankind.

 

[jamesfrmphilly]

ni·hil·ism

ˈnīəˌlizəm,ˈnēəˌlizəm/
noun
noun: nihilism

1. the rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless.
   synonyms: skepticism, negativity, cynicism, pessimism; More
   
   • PHILOSOPHY
     extreme skepticism maintaining that nothing in the world has a real existence.
   • historical
     the doctrine of an extreme Russian revolutionary party circa 1900, which found nothing to approve of in the established social order.

Origin

early 19th century: from Latin nihil ‘nothing’ + -ism.

 

[jamesfrmphilly]

Nihilism

a belief in the pointlessness of existance. the absence of truth. the absence of reason.

those who see it as a self-defeating argument are people who still have something to believe in.

despite the universe being so mind-numbingly complex and consciousness itself being so much of a mystery, many people actually believe that nihilism is invalid because the 'logic' possessed by what we think of as our consciousness doesn't allow it to make sense.

a christian might argue that god must exist because there must be some infinite force in the universe. they would then argue that god is the creator of all life, and that things like logic come from god, and in fact are a part of god (as he is infinite). unfortunately, this is also self-defeating, because by using logic to prove the existance of god (and thus logic) is just as absurd as nihilism. this, in turn, leads to the logic that nothing can be known. this then continues and endless loop of logic and anti-logic, making existance seem pointless, insane, and absurd. and THAT is what nihilism really is.

Nietzsche is commonly associated with nihilism, although from what i've been able to figure out without actually studying it in school (while researching it in my spare time), he was not a nihilist himself. rather, he seems to be more of someone who defined it and contemplated the intricacies associated with it.

trent reznor, creator of nine inch nails is generally considered to be a true nihilist, which is represented by the lyrics, feeling, and sound of his music. even nothing records, a record company started by reznor, embraces this concept in its name.

 

[jamesfrmphilly]

IMO : there is a strain of nihilism exposed by this election.

trump is bad, clinton is just as bad. no point. no use voting. it's all bad.

 

[Queenie]

IMO: nihilism is not new--BUT some might define what they think and decide to do as realism for them.

There has always been and will continue to be some Black people who don't trust nor believe in a system designed to oppress them no matter which politician will try and convince them otherwise and pander for their vote. Too much voting history has been documented since 1965 and in spite of what might be perceived as gains, the realization that the struggle continues is just as evident today as it ever was.

Some of us just reject the status quo because we can calculate and weigh its impact on Black people and acknowledge that, compared to others, we're still at the bottom of the barrel.

What's unique about this "election" is that the candidates are so rotten, more and more people are coming out to talk about them and share their thoughts and feelings about the situation. As I said in another thread, it may easy for some voters to decide, but it's a nightmare for others.

Everyone should be allowed to believe what they want and to have the opportunity to find their own way. Black people are not monolithic. I think it's about time for those who think we are or should be to wake up and accept that as a fact.

Who has the right to judge anyone "right" or "wrong" and what does it matter or what can you do about it at the end of the day? Name calling doesn't help; having a need to put people in categories to make ones self feel better about who they are, is a waste of time and energy. And, why do we want to label people anyway when that is exactly what Black people fight against and struggle with every day--trying to climb out of a proverbial box that an oppressive group creates to define you. To me, that's internal oppression being exercised.

True some of us decide to change direction instead of following the herd knowing it leads to the edge of a cliff. But let them make that decision without judgement.

Freedom of expression is a civil and human right. But it seems that some people only support that if the expression agrees with their opinions.

Not judging, just saying . . .