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Single Idea 6688
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 2. Nihilism
]
Full Idea
If 'life is absurd' just means 'there is no logical explanation for human existence', we have no reason for anguish, unless we think there should be such an explanation.
Gist of Idea
Life is only absurd if you expected an explanation and none turns up
Source
Gordon Graham (Eight Theories of Ethics [2004], Ch.5)
Book Ref
Graham,Gordon: 'Eight Theories of Ethics' [Routledge 2004], p.85
A Reaction
This is aimed at Kierkegaard and Camus. 'Absurd' certainly seems to be a relative notion, and we have nothing to compare life with. However, life does strike us as a bit odd sometimes, don't you think?
The
19 ideas
with the same theme
[human life seems pointless and absurd]:
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7072
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Jacobi was the first philosopher to talk of nihilism
[Jacobi, by Critchley]
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22090
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For me time stands still, and I with it
[Kierkegaard, by Carlisle]
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24123
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My eternal recurrence is opposed to feeling fragmented and imperfect
[Nietzsche]
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23214
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For the strongest people, nihilism gives you wings!
[Nietzsche]
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20125
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The ethical teacher exists to give purpose to what happens necessarily and without purpose
[Nietzsche]
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23717
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Modern nihilism is now feeling tired of mankind
[Nietzsche]
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7198
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Nihilism results from measuring the world by our categories which are purely invented
[Nietzsche]
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9782
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Nietzsche urges that nihilism be active, and will nothing itself
[Nietzsche, by Zizek]
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7847
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Initially nihilism was cosmic, but later Nietzsche saw it as a cultural matter
[Nietzsche, by Ansell Pearson]
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18286
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The greatest experience possible is contempt for your own happiness, reason and virtue
[Nietzsche]
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19622
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The pointlessness of our motives and irrelevance of our gestures reveals our vacuity
[Cioran]
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19617
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Evidence suggests that humans do not have a purpose
[Cioran]
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19612
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The universe is dirty and fragile, as if a scandal in nothingness had produced its matter
[Cioran]
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9243
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If we believe existence is absurd, this should dictate our conduct
[Camus]
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6708
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Happiness and the absurd go together, each leading to the other
[Camus]
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23941
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'Absurdity' is just the result of our wrong choices in life
[Solomon]
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3268
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If a small brief life is absurd, then so is a long and large one
[Nagel]
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6688
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Life is only absurd if you expected an explanation and none turns up
[Graham]
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6843
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Perceiving meaninglessness is an achievement, which can transform daily life
[Critchley]
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