> Papa _ Wrote:
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Here’s how wiki defines it:
>
> “ Nihilism (/ˈnaɪ(h)ɪlɪzəm, ˈniː-/; from Latin nihil 'nothing') is a
> philosophy, or family of views within philosophy, expressing some form
> of negation towards life[1][2] or towards fundamental concepts such as
> knowledge, existence, and the meaning of life.[3][4] Different nihilist
> positions hold variously that human values are baseless, that life is
> meaningless, that knowledge is impossible, or that some set of entities
> does not exist.[5][6]
>
> The study of nihilism may regard it as merely a label that has been
> applied to various separate philosophies,[7] or as a distinct historical
> concept arising out of nominalism, skepticism, and philosophical
> pessimism, as well as possibly out of Christianity itself.[8]
> Contemporary understanding of the idea stems largely from the
> Nietzschean 'crisis of nihilism', from which derives the two central
> concepts: the destruction of higher values and the opposition to the
> affirmation of life.[9][5] Earlier forms of nihilism however, may be
> more selective in negating specific hegemonies of social, moral,
> political and aesthetic thought.[10] Beyond Europe, elements of Buddhist
> scripture have been identified as among the earliest discourses and
> critiques of nihilistic thought.
>
> The term is sometimes used in association with anomie to explain the
> general mood of despair at a perceived pointlessness of existence or
> arbitrariness of human principles and social institutions. Nihilism has
> also been described as conspicuous in or constitutive of certain
> historical periods. For example,[11] Jean Baudrillard[12][13] and others
> have characterized postmodernity as a nihilistic epoch[14] or mode of
> thought.[15] Likewise, some theologians and religious figures have
> stated that postmodernity[16] and many aspects of modernity[17]
> represent nihilism by a negation of religious principles. Nihilism has,
> however, been widely ascribed to both religious and irreligious
> viewpoints.[18]
>
> In popular use, the term commonly refers to forms of existential
> nihilism, according to which life is without intrinsic value, meaning,
> or purpose.[19] Other prominent positions within nihilism include the
> rejection of all normative and ethical views (§ Moral nihilism), the
> rejection of all social and political institutions (§ Political
> nihilism), the stance that no knowledge can or does exist (§
> Epistemological nihilism), and a number of metaphysical positions, which
> assert that non-abstract objects do not exist (§ Metaphysical nihilism),
> that composite objects do not exist (§ Mereological nihilism), or even
> that life itself does not exist.”
>
> I think that anyone given enough time to ponder life, exisitence, and
> human consciousness might wrestle with this idea.
>
> My preferred philosophy is that of stoicism.
>
> I think the purpose of my life is to leave the world with something good
> when I die. I am training my children to be good humans that desire the
> same positive trend.
>
> It would be my greatest desire to invent or discover something that
> actually makes a lasting improvement. Not for fame. But to solidly give
> MY life purpose.
>
> I think it is getting harder and harder in this time because the age of
> discovery is over. And, we have such effective record keeping and info
> sharing that stuff isn’t even lost and rediscovered.
>
> It is very hard to find a real individual contribution. Something to
> satisfy that human desire for purpose which comes from leaving an
> eternal mark on history.
>
> Going forward, it will become more and more important to be part of
> collective efforts. Individuals cannot go to Mars like the Wright
> brothers invented powered, heavier-than-air flight. But, YOU CAN be a
> part of the team.
>
> Our future human accomplishments can be enormous. If everyone adds the
> inertia of their life to a mass of other people heading in a good
> direction.
I like this....