The Intelligent People's Thread

Atomic_Rooster wrote: one or two female members (too lazy to look at the roster right now) so, since we never got around to that existentialist discussion, we could start on that, or I'd also be up for a discussion on Impressionism, Objectivism (Ayn Rand's), or literature/poetry, or whatever

Atkingani wrote: Ops... Did the Velvet Room change its name?

No, the Bull Penis Lounge changed its name.

alright.

So, I'm seriously considering existentialism as a viable life philosophy at the moment, so for those of you unfamiliar, here's a breakdown:
Traditionally, philosophers believed that essence preceded existence, meaning that your nature and characteristics were predetermined (if your a human that you would be naturally rational etc)
Existentialism came along and said,"Hell no! existence precedes essence." (hence the name)  Meaning that we determine what we are and will become.  Everything is an effect of personal action.  I am currently writing this post because I have chosen to and not because I am obligated to explain this to anyone.  And so on.
(I know, its a pretty brief overview)
There are 3 big philosophers who advocated this:
Nietzsche (eccentric German guy) - his catchphrase was that "God is dead." meaning that we no longer need the idea of god in our society.  We are our own beings, and we decide for ourselves what is right to do, not what some effusive deity says is right.  The only way to live as an "authentic" person is to set your own personal rules and live by them, not be slave to some other person's rules (and thus become an Overman or Superman)
He was an atheist

Kierkegaard - Christian philosopher and theologian, thought that we can surely choose to follow the rules of religion if we want, who's to say that our personal rules can't coincide with god's?  He's a bit easier to read and wrote a suicide prevention book (Sickness Unto Death)

Sartre - the philosopher's philosopher.  His ideas were very similar to Nietzsche's in that he thought that religion usurped our personal rules.  He believed in a lack of higher purpose in life, which led to the absurdist viewpoint about life - there is no point in life, so why the hell do we do half the things we do?

Cool stuff.  I'm personally a Kierkegaard man.

Well Rooster...you pretty much said it all

Atomic_Rooster wrote: I honestly don't see the point in Nihilism, I'm really just surprised that all the Nihilists haven't killed themselves, as I would think that would be the natural thing to do if you were a Nihilist

Life has no point, but that doesn't mean I can't have fun. 

rileydog22 wrote: Atomic_Rooster wrote: I honestly don't see the point in Nihilism, I'm really just surprised that all the Nihilists haven't killed themselves, as I would think that would be the natural thing to do if you were a Nihilist Life has no point, but that doesn't mean I can't have fun.

What's the nihilist definition of fun, if you don't think that past definitions are worthwhile.

rileydog22 wrote: Atomic_Rooster wrote: rileydog22 wrote: Atomic_Rooster wrote: I honestly don't see the point in Nihilism, I'm really just surprised that all the Nihilists haven't killed themselves, as I would think that would be the natural thing to do if you were a Nihilist Life has no point, but that doesn't mean I can't have fun.  What's the nihilist definition of fun, if you don't think that past definitions are worthwhile. Anything I consider enjoyable.

what do consider to be the definition of enjoyable?  What's the point of enjoying things I guess if your a nihilist?

I really don't know how I feel about "the point of life"

boy, i need a bull-penis after that

That's basically me, just without the theism.

Edited by JJLehto - May 05 2007 at 00:35