Thursday, March 09, 2006

nihilism

Based on the point of view I've recently been expressing in some conversations with a friend at work, she suggests I should replace my Buddha quote on the right side-bar of this page with the following dictionary definition:

ni·hil·ism
Pronunciation: 'nI-(h)&-"li-z&m,
Function: noun
Etymology: German Nihilismus, from Latin nihil nothing
1 a : a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless b : a doctrine that denies any objective ground of truth and especially of moral truths
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It is an interesting philosopy and from a purely logical point of view it does make sense, but I'm not sure I'd really call myself a nihilst.  Granted, I might sometimes give this impression, but it's mostly just all in good fun. I tend to have a dark, self-deprecating sense of humor at times. For example, yesterday when this same friend was returning an empty coffee pot to me (that had once been full of jelly beans) she said something along the lines of "Hey, I found something of yours that is fragile and empty," (in reference to the coffe pot) and I responded with, "Is it my soul?"  But it was just a joke. Really. 

I just need to get back to remembering the whole "live the present moment wisely and earnestly" thing.