As scary
and unimaginably as it sounds, we are only a single tiny particle of the
incredible universe. This rather bothersome fact is a result of slowly developed
and improved self-awareness. It took us years of observation and studying where
and who we are to come to this one statement – we are simply a miniature part
of the gargantuan bowl of particles we call universe.
Certainly,
such information is confusing, upsetting and unbelievable. This absolutely
normal reaction we feel yet proves our limitation even more, showing us that
indeed the universe is far beyond our perception and acquaintance.
Fortunately
or not, here the complex issue of understanding our role in the universe does
not stop. Apart from limited space we occupy in the galaxy, we are also in
possession of only a short period of time to live. Remarkably short if compared
to the age of the universe.
There is no
denying the fact a part of world population experience so called existential
crisis. At the same time it is not surprising at all that many people find
themselves questioning everything they are, know, own, learn and encounter.
After all, why do we even exist?
Seems like
the burning questions will never be answered. The reality we live in is even
more bugging due to the fact we are (to the best of our knowledge) the only
self-aware creations in this universe, still failing to find our purpose and
reason of existence. Then, what can we do to help ourselves cope with all that
emotional stress?
Luckily for
us, a number of coping methods have been established by philosophers,
psychologists. One of them is optimistic nihilism. It offers a stress soothing
approach to the confusing life we lead. The philosophy behind optimistic
nihilism encourage us to change our perception of existence and start focusing
on what we can do using the time we own instead of desperately trying to
situate ourselves in a particular place in the universe. At the same time there
is no set goal to achieve, leaving us completely in charge of our life. That is
also exactly the main foundation of the optimistic nihilism – we, humans, give
our existence the purpose we want. Moreover, another principle of the philosophy
is to realize bad things we experience on earth will not matter anymore after
death. Keeping that in mind, we should reject any negative feelings associated
with failure, disappointment, upsetting events. Instead of that the aim is to focus
on directing our lives the way we want and enjoy using countless of positive
emotions to feel and amazing experience this world offers.
In times of
our well-formed self-awareness which causes more confusion than serenity we can
keep on desperately trying to answer un-answered questions or embrace the life
we have making the best out of the time we have. After all, we do not seem to
have lots of it.
Questions:
- Should we even try finding the answer to the question of existence?
- Do you think there are any other forms of intelligent living creatures in the universe?
- Do you think optimistic nihilism is a way to cope with an existential crisis? Isn't it a form of problem avoidance?
Sources:
Comments
I think there are other forms of 'people' in the universe. I mean - the universe is such a huge area that barely no one could even imagine that. I'm sure there are some kind of creatures and who knows, maybe they are wondering the same - if there is someone else?
Our minds is built from different influenced and from experiences,
fundamentally the good and the bad. Studies such as Dualism focuses on the study of the good and the bad, with that in mind it is possible to note the influence of the mind can cause a man to make an action.
To conclude, the idea of enjoying the freedom is a lot more difficult to grasp depending on the experience of one’s life. It is considered that one could change the approach of the meaning of life to find a deeper sense of purpose and reason to live this life.
I don’t know if there are any other intelligent creatures. Maybe yes, maybe no. It’s not important for me.
In my opinion existential crisis isn’t a form of problem at all so being optimist can’t be a way to avoid ‘problem’. Optimism is a kind of way of living. You choose how do you want to live. Believe me, optimists lead much easier life.
I don't think that there are any other forms of intelligent living creatures in the universe - there was no evidence, so there is no reason to think so.
I think that problem problem avoidance is one of the ways of dealing with problem - I've heard somewhere that after disavowal there is acceptance.
I think that intelligent living creatures do exsist somewhere in the universe. We can meet them but we can also never find them.
Optimistic nihilism is an interesting offer in life-philosophy store and everyone should tried it even for a while. ON can change life for better for some people and if so- then optimistic nihilism can be considered as a way to cope with an existential crisis... but not for everyone.
2. Most probably yes. For now we have no evidence for and against this statement. In my opinion the universe is constantly growing so there is a high chance that far far away there is another high-developed civilization.
3. It is a form of problem avoidance, because it's all about it. Why should you bother now, when after your death nothing will matter? It is just pure waste of time. Just live your life and don't let existence thoughts influence your lifestyle or your mental condition.
Well, why not? As I said, we are but accident, so there is a possibility for more such accidents to exist. I want to believe in it, really.
It is interesting point of view. Well, I can't say that it is a way to avoid problems. You know, every philosophical form is in some sense a way to avoid maybe not problems themselves, but the duty to face the problems in their true form.
I think that there is a bigger chance that there are intelligent life forms in the universe, than to win lotto grand prize, and there are lotto winners :).
It is a very philosophical question, and the answer will depend on the human. I think, that we should try to make world better for our future generations, so optimistic nihilism is a kind of avoidance of the problems.
We will never know it anyway. However, many people are still looking for answers to this question.
I think in the universe there are other forms of life. I would be surprised if we were the only form of life - it's impossible for me.
Optimistic nihilism seems to be a very interesting issue. I always think that being optimistic makes our lives a lot better. I think everyone should give yourself a life goal which he or she chose. Let's reject all negative things from our lives and enjoy the living.
Yes, sure, there are some other forms of intelligent living creatures in the universe. It would be selfish of us to think that people are the only one. The Universe is too big for this. And we don't really know how big it is, we haven't checked every single corner of it to be definite in the fact there is no one else. And it's so funny to watch TV'shows about UFO. My father likes to watch some stuff like this, where scientists discuss how people were abducted by aliens.
Btw, the video is so beautiful and colorful. I like it so much.
I believe there maybe some sort of intelligence out there. I like Carl Sagan's explanation of why it is a possibility. First, there are enormous number of planets and planetary systems. Second, the carbon-rich, complex molecules that are essential to our life are abandon in the universe. Third, there is lots of time in which things can happen. If you put these three together it would be hard to believe that our planet is the only one that is inhabited. Here is a short video in which Carl Sagan talks about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9WHs49nlHk
I think optimistic nihilism could be way to cope with existential crisis, why not?
The point is eventually to go forward and not let the question of our existence paralyze us. Anything that lets us survive and move on is worth consideration.
I think there are other forms of intelligent living creatures in the universe. People are working at space travels. Now, astronauts can flight near to the Earth. I think that in a few years I will be real to flight to the other galaxy and find other forms of people.
I don’t know if we should, how can anybody tell what we should or shouldn’t do. But even if the answer is that we shouldn’t we are humans, we definitely will try to do it. That’s just our nature.
Do you think there are any other forms of intelligent living creatures in the universe?
I think that there might be intelligent life in the universe, but I think that it would be so different from us and anything we know, that we would have problems to comprehend it.
Optimistic nihilism is definitely a form of problem avoidance, but hey it works.
I strongly believe there is intelligent life somewhere in the galaxy. I would say, that it would be very naive to assume that there is no other planet that does not have natural conditions allowing intelligent life to develope.
I think optimistic nihilism sounds like a reasonable way to fight this existential crisis some people experience. Also, it seems I have always been an optimistic nihillist but I had no idea this philosophy of life was called like that.
"Close your eyes. Count to 1. That's how long forever feels." Ha, nice one. Asking those difficult questions and trying to find some answers helps us with our development, finding a meaning, being aware and in peace with inevitable future.
Do I think there any other forms of intelligent life? I do hope so, it would be such a waste of space if there were only us. I can't believe that there's only us.
I like the idea of optimistic nihilism, it's more of a problem coping than avoidance. It does'nt hide anything, it tells like it is and just "go on with it or despite it".
I think that there is intelligent life in the universe, and most definitely in future we will encounter it.
No doubt optimistic nihilism isn't a problem avoidance and it's the right way to deal with an existential crisis in life.
Of course there are other form of life. We are not the center of the universe. We are just not enough intelligent to understand them.
Personally I don't really care, I enjoy living, achieving goals and making other people happy. Whether this is some advanced computer simulation done by some higher-form alien in his garage doesn't really matter to me, I can live in a matrix :).
Some time ago I was watching an interesting material about life in the universe. If you realize our knowledge about this world beyond Earth is literally nothing and visualize how big is the universe it's easy to think it impossible not to find any other life. Still not sure myself, hope maybe we find something in the future.
I wouldn't choose this way to cope with any crisis. It can be loosely interpreted, so it can be dangerous. It's better than some of the theories I've heard about but it is definitely not the right thing to stick with. I don't have the answer for the problem but I guess a regular intense life should sort all things out. People need people.
I think and hope, that there are another forms of intelligent life somewhere far-far away.. I like how the picture the Universe in Men in Black. Different civilizations, planets, appearance. Maybe one day our descendants will go to a business trip to another planets.. why not?
Life existing only on Earth is probably really unlikely, but I hope we never find it, because we would only use it just like we do now. If they somehow managed to overcome the Great Filter theory and then expanded across the Milky Way I can see a couple of reasons why they haven't contacted us yet. First of all they might not see us as an intelligent species at all, which would mean that they are just like us and I'm glad that they haven't visited us yet, because I would rather not be enslaved and converted to some kind of produce. The other possibility of them not wanting to come in touch with us, due to them seeing us as some kind of twisted monsters, is much more welcoming I would say, mostly because that would give me hope that there is a chance for creating and sustaining a form of civilisation, which doesn't devour everything on its path to nothing.
There are other life forms, thats for sure - universe is such a huge "box of chocolates" that anything can be in there. Just mention the fact that wat we see right now (i.e pictures of ery far solar systems), might be the picture that is hundred thousand years old, so even planets that look like possible to colonize, might already be governed by some other race.
I think that it's possilbe that the other forms of living exist but i'm not sure if it's good to meet with them. I'm afraid about "war of worlds". It is possible that we will have a problem with comunication with them and it will keep us a lot of problems.
I think optimistic nihilism it's great way of thinking about existence. For me it's true. I think about it all my live. It's nothing new for me but the video it's really nice and thanks for it :)