Philosophy Now Forum

I need this explained simply because I am not that smart.

There are different theories such as atheist existentialism, existential nihilism and absurdism.

Correct me if I am wrong but atheist existentialism and absurdism is the belief that life has no objective meaning to paraphrase no meaning from god but that you create subjective meaning to paraphrase you create your own meaning.

So what is the difference between atheist existentialism and absurdism?

Also if I am not mistaken existential nihilism is the belief that you can't create any meaning subjective or objective. Why can't you create your own meaning in existential nihilism?

Also if you believe everything can be determined by science can you believe in any of the philosophies?

nothing exists?

-Imp

Thats a lot of big words for someone claiming not to be very smart. Where does that put me relying on the idea that "life is a mystery to be lived not a problem to be solved"?

jakaos wrote:... Where does that put me relying on the idea that "life is a mystery to be lived not a problem to be solved"?

What is it you don't understand about this sentence?

A life could be considered a story and many stories (myths, stories in literary works) have a meaning and can be interpreted in a certain way.

The meaning of Odysseus´s life story was ... to fight for his country (even if he unsuccessfully tried to avoid it by pretending to be a madman) and to return home even if tempted by women on the way ?

The meaning of Robin Hood´s life story was ... to show that robbery is not evil if done with the right motivation ?

Our life stories may appear to us more pedestrian and that is why we ask about their meaning so much.

Odysseus and Robin H. probably did not ask themselves that question.

billa wrote:I need this explained simply because I am not that smart.

There are different theories such as atheist existentialism, existential nihilism and absurdism.

Correct me if I am wrong but atheist existentialism and absurdism is the belief that life has no objective meaning to paraphrase no meaning from god but that you create subjective meaning to paraphrase you create your own meaning.

So what is the difference between atheist existentialism and absurdism?

Also if I am not mistaken existential nihilism is the belief that you can't create any meaning subjective or objective. Why can't you create your own meaning in existential nihilism?

Also if you believe everything can be determined by science can you believe in any of the philosophies?

All of these derive from existentialism, which is that any positing of actual agency rekies upon a transcendent other , and where one does not exist we are determined, choice definitionaly but not effectively manifest. Where there is actual agency and no transcendent there is reality based in denial.

lancek4 wrote:

billa wrote:I need this explained simply because I am not that smart.

There are different theories such as atheist existentialism, existential nihilism and absurdism.

Correct me if I am wrong but atheist existentialism and absurdism is the belief that life has no objective meaning to paraphrase no meaning from god but that you create subjective meaning to paraphrase you create your own meaning.

So what is the difference between atheist existentialism and absurdism?

Also if I am not mistaken existential nihilism is the belief that you can't create any meaning subjective or objective. Why can't you create your own meaning in existential nihilism?

Also if you believe everything can be determined by science can you believe in any of the philosophies?

All of these derive from existentialism, which is that any positing of actual agency rekies upon a transcendent other , and where one does not exist we are determined, choice definitionaly but not effectively manifest. Where there is actual agency and no transcendent there is reality based in denial.

the issue is : what is absurd?

The meaning of life is living.

=

Accomplishing whatever the purpose why you are living.

MJA wrote:The meaning of life is living.

Is it? Is meaning found inside (ding an sich) or in relation to something else (subject/object)?

Just is.

=

To use our sense-organs and mind to the maximum. To experience, enjoy, interact, revel, contemplate on what we have and what we want and what has past and what will happen.

MJA wrote:Just is.

Is not.