The Irony of Nihilism: Meaning's Double-Edged Sword
Updated: Sep 22
Articles on Nihilism: (https://www.philosocom.com/post/true-nihilism-how-it-s-possible-to-become-fearless
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Part I: How Nihilism Can Lead to Unexpected Happiness
The irony of nihilism is that it can be a surprisingly easy path to happiness, depending on the point of view you choose to believe in. Unlike those who seek a grand purpose or an exalted meaning in life, nihilists are free from the pressure of such quests. Think about the stress of having a salaryman's mindset. Think about those who choose to live so others wouldn't die. Its stressful, isn't it?
Of course there is an element of stress in living a meaningful life, whether under a meritocracy, where you have to prove your worth, or in a class-based society like a monarchy, where you have a noble reputation to maintain in order to maintain your relevancy.
However, a lack of dependence on external validation creates a shorter route to contentment, in an Occam's Razor kind of mindset. Nihilists, who reject meaning, don't need to carry the weight of feeling deeply significant to find satisfaction. By the same token, they don't need to do deeply-significant things in order to feel satisfied. The idea that one has to, is something I call "The Conqueror's Flaw". Becoming a mighty conqueror, for instance, can still make you feel unsatisfied.
How Misconception Leads to Agony and The Role Of Subjectivity In Reality
The true positivity of nihilism lies in its ability to approach life without taking it too seriously or imbuing it with the sacredness many people consider "objective". However, the value we regard things is more subjective and intersubjective than it is objective. And thus, because of this higher regard, we put ourselves in great misery, often unnecessarily.
Without a flexible mind, we won't necessarily realize how much of our suffering unnecessarily comes from this idea of "objective meaning". However, can we verify objectivity, when we're never pure from subjectivity and from the biases that come along with it? How can we verify objectivity when we all have different values and priorities and ambitions? How can I expect anyone to hold respect in the same regard I do? I can't, because much of morality, which stems from meaning, is subject to our priorities and beliefs.
As noble as the Bushido code is, it is no wonder that the age of the Samurai is long over. How come? We have moved on to other priorities, at the price of moral depravity. We cannot expect people to even agree they're morally depraved. Then, beyond helping those who want to be helped, what's the point of suffering when we can instead learn the priorities of others, and act accordingly?
Do we even have to help anyone? We only "have" to in the name of whatever vision we have in mind for our lives and/or for this world. That vision, too, is subject to perception. And, should we choose to have no vision, of course many of us would live/desire to live like good-for-nothing klumniks.
See how our subjective perceptions say much about the inability of countless people to just live, with or without meaning. This inner emptiness within us compels us to build empires, thinking that the success of our values will give us the peace of mind we seek.
It won't necessarily, however. Understanding this, I stopped looking for peace of mind, for I know I might as well always be unsatisfied. It is a painful reality I accept.
How Meaning Imprisons You In a Basement of Loneliness
We're often told that a predetermined meaning is the key to a fulfilling life, and that meaningfulness is synonymous with happiness. However, this rigid framework can be restrictive, and ironically, may compel us to sacrifice our happiness and health. No matter how meaningful a life you live thanks to your success, you can still find yourself misreable and lonely at the top... As if you were an eccentric social reject at highschool.
Think about geniuses like Alan Turing, who was bullied at school, and even later on were rejected and harrassed. He was as strange and lonely with or without his mathematical brilliance. To quote Prof. Max Newman:
He was a strange man, who never felt at ease in any place. His efforts, mostly occasional indeed, to look like he felt a part of the middle upper class circles which he naturally belonged to, were clumsy.
He randomly adopted some conventions of his class, but rejected with no regret and hesitation most of their habits and ideas. And unfortunately the academic world's customs, which could have sheltered him, disconcerted and deeply bored him.
This loneliness and suffering won't necessarily change even if you revolutionize humanity. I call this the Drug Lord's Fallacy. Lonely and rejected nonetheless, you might wonder what worth was it all for? What worth are empires and wealth if you're still as lonely as you were before? Either go on the straight and narrow, or break bad -- with all your contributions you can still die alone as Nikola Tesla.
Perhaps we shouldn't attach our mental health to meaning and recognition, after all?
Nihilists could have a certain flexibility when it comes to happiness (or unhappiness, for that matter). Their emotional state doesn't hinge on the presence or absence of meaning. While they might be less productive or contribute less to society in a traditional sense, they can find contentment more readily than those burdened by the belief that happiness requires a philosophical justification.
They are, in a way, free to simply be happy. However, for that, we need to let go of the anger and disappointment of our under-valued importance. I let "Ms. Chen" go accordingly. As one who seeks purpose, I'll suffer either way.
Part II: How Nihilism Parallels Asceticism
Well, people got attatched. Once you cut the umbilical cord they [get] attatched to the other things. Sight, sound, sex, money, mirages... -- Charles Bukowski
Nihilists approach purposefulness in a similar way that ascetics approach financial materialism: they transcend the need for external factors to find a satisfying life. For nihilists, the joy of a simple cup of coffee can be as profound as an artist's pursuit of a masterpiece. The only difference is, they put none of these in high regard.
The key difference is not that coffee becomes their purpose, but rather that their sense of fulfillment can be as simple as a dog receiving treats. The act itself, in this case savoring a cup of coffee, holds the potential for the same level of joy as the artist's creative expression. It is equally nice, as it is equally irrelevant to the nihilist.
It's important to acknowledge the spectrum of nihilistic experiences. The spectrum depends on the outcome. Be as careless as Charles Bukowski, or seek to destroy the world like an insane clown.
If a nihilist grapples with the concept of inherent meaninglessness and feels a personal need for meaning for satisfaction, then depression can certainly arise. On the other hand, accepting the lack of inherent meaning and simply not caring about it can lead to a state of unburdened happiness.
The core principle of nihilism is the belief that existence lacks inherent meaning. It doesn't dictate our emotional response to this notion or prescribe a specific way of life. Thinking it does, is a delusion. As such, some commonly held associations with nihilism are often generalizations or interpretations, not inherent parts of the philosophy/ideology itself.
Part III: How Nihilism Parallels Atheism
Just as atheism is often misunderstood as anti-religion, nihilism is frequently misinterpreted as a philosophy of despair, or as one that is anti-meaning. In reality, nihilism is simply the belief that life lacks inherent meaning or purpose. This core principle, however, doesn't dictate a specific way of living or feeling. It's a blank canvas upon which individuals paint their own interpretations, creating the nihilist spectrum.
Atheism, at its core, is the lack of belief in gods. However, atheists can have vastly different reasons and outlooks on life. Some might be indifferent to religion, while others might be critical of its social or political influence. Similarly, nihilists approach the absence of inherent meaning in a variety of ways.
It is like saying that atheism necessarily leads to communism because communism is atheist by nature, as determined by Karl Marx. However, what if the atheist just doesn't care about such things?
Apathy destroys meaning simply by discarding it. It's that powerful.
Apathy sneaks in at night and parades on in when everyone is watching. It’s a silent killer and it announces its presence from the sagging rooftops. Apathy gives no shits. That’s actually kind of its thing.
It doesn’t try to hide and it feels no need to be subtle. No community is immune to its effects and it takes hold in rich and poor towns alike. Apathy is a lack of shame and it is devastating. It erodes everything people took generations to build and there is no corner of society it doesn't affect. -- Jeff Siegler
However, freed from the pressure to find a grand purpose, nihilists can focus on doing the heck they want to do. They can also choose not to focus at all without the burden of meaning. Unattached, the nihilist can relish in chaos. Then... one could tell the link with psychopathy:
There is a tangible link with nihilism, and the egocentricity of psychopathy. First of all, psychopaths may be regarded as moral nihilists. Secondly, psychopaths like an apathetic, disengaged and anomic society, where citizens lack conviction, and there’s an absence or erosion of moral values. -- Kitty S. Jones
This is how destructive nihilism can truly be.
Conclusion: Of Void And Perception
The core tenet of nihilism – the absence of inherent meaning in life – can be a daunting starting point. It might conjure images of a bleak, purposeless existence. However, a deeper understanding reveals a more nuanced philosophy that allows for a surprising range of interpretations and experiences.
The key takeaway lies in differentiating the basic premise from the subjective conclusions individuals draw from it. Nihilism doesn't dictate a specific way of life; it simply removes the assumption of preordained meaning.
This newfound freedom can be liberating for some. Unburdened by societal expectations or the pressure to fulfill a cosmic purpose, they can forge their own path, defining their own values and creating their own meaning.
However, the absence of inherent meaning can also be unsettling. It can lead to feelings of existential dread or a struggle to find purpose in a seemingly indifferent universe. This is where individual interpretations come into play.
Some may embrace the absurdity of existence and find humor in the inherent meaninglessness, subverting our expectations. Others may channel this realization into a deep appreciation for the fleeting beauty of life, motivating them to live each moment to the fullest.
Then, what kind of nihilist should one be if they seek nihilism?
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