Existentialism is less interesting than what I ate for dinner. Discuss.

[leet_muffin]

While I'm not commenting directly about Friedrich Nietzsche, I would just like to take some time to say here that Existentialism sucks.

What about it do you disagree with?

I disagree with the presupposition that one can reject the validity of objective truth and simultaneously effect a meaningful self-purpose. I am also in disagreement with multiple conjectures that are further derived from this assumption.

I see that that is a reasonable problem with it, but if other people choose to live their lives to a self-purpose you find to be not meaningful, how does this harm you? My self-purpose would probably seem unmeaningful to you, but that doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with it.

[iago]

I disagree with the presupposition that one can reject the validity of objective truth and simultaneously effect a meaningful self-purpose. I am also in disagreement with multiple conjectures that are further derived from this assumption.

Are you saying that you disagree with it because you don't like the consequences of agreeing? That's not really a valid argument. :P

[d&q]

While I'm not commenting directly about Friedrich Nietzsche, I would just like to take some time to say here that Existentialism sucks.

What about it do you disagree with?

I disagree with the presupposition that one can reject the validity of objective truth and simultaneously effect a meaningful self-purpose. I am also in disagreement with multiple conjectures that are further derived from this assumption.

I see that that is a reasonable problem with it, but if other people choose to live their lives to a self-purpose you find to be not meaningful, how does this harm you? My self-purpose would probably seem unmeaningful to you, but that doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with it.

You're arguing something completely different. I'm not arguing the application of the philosophy--if you want to create something meaningless for yourself, so be it, I won't pity you. However, I object to the validity of the school of thought itself, which therefore leads me to harbor distaste towards it.

I disagree with the presupposition that one can reject the validity of objective truth and simultaneously effect a meaningful self-purpose. I am also in disagreement with multiple conjectures that are further derived from this assumption.

Are you saying that you disagree with it because you don't like the consequences of agreeing? That's not really a valid argument. :P

Well first off, I really have not presented any arguments for my case. Also, if anything, its more of the opposite; The lack of legitimacy in the original will extend towards all of its derivatives.

[Ender]

You're arguing something completely different. I'm not arguing the application of the philosophy--if you want to create something meaningless for yourself, so be it, I won't pity you. However, I object to the validity of the school of thought itself, which therefore leads me to harbor distaste towards it.

Big words! Spoken like a true high school senior :P

My TA once told me a story about a professor she was TAing for. A student stayed after class to complain to the professor that Kant was wrong and that there was nothing of value in reading Kant. The professor replied: "But he's Kant, and you're a college freshman!"

[d&q]

You're arguing something completely different. I'm not arguing the application of the philosophy--if you want to create something meaningless for yourself, so be it, I won't pity you. However, I object to the validity of the school of thought itself, which therefore leads me to harbor distaste towards it.

Big words! Spoken like a true high school senior :P

My TA once told me a story about a professor she was TAing for. A student stayed after class to complain to the professor that Kant was wrong and that there was nothing of value in reading Kant. The professor replied: "But he's Kant, and you're a college freshman!"

I don't use flowery/verbose words, I use words that express exactly what I am trying to convey. I don't know if you're trying to be condescending or not, but either way, your comment was not appreciated.

And by the way, I'm not a senior.

[Ender]

You're arguing something completely different. I'm not arguing the application of the philosophy--if you want to create something meaningless for yourself, so be it, I won't pity you. However, I object to the validity of the school of thought itself, which therefore leads me to harbor distaste towards it.

Big words! Spoken like a true high school senior :P

My TA once told me a story about a professor she was TAing for. A student stayed after class to complain to the professor that Kant was wrong and that there was nothing of value in reading Kant. The professor replied: "But he's Kant, and you're a college freshman!"

I don't use flowery/verbose words, I use words that express exactly what I am trying to convey. I don't know if you're trying to be condescending or not, but either way, your comment was not appreciated.

And by the way, I'm not a senior.

I was joking (<3), but the clause "which therefore leads me to harbor distaste towards it" made me cringe. And that word choice is definitely overkill, over the less pretentious "which leads me to dislike it" or more precisely "which makes me find it distasteful".

My second point (story) is more interesting though.

[Explicit]

While I'm not commenting directly about Friedrich Nietzsche, I would just like to take some time to say here that Existentialism sucks.

What about it do you disagree with?

I disagree with the presupposition that one can reject the validity of objective truth and simultaneously effect a meaningful self-purpose. I am also in disagreement with multiple conjectures that are further derived from this assumption.

The stance you're taking is not unreasonable, and is one that is indefinitely assumed by many.

In its application though, especially for me being that I'm not so fond of the idea of some God or other dictating, it has its appeals. Not that I'm a hardcore existentialist or anything. :)

[d&q]

While I'm not commenting directly about Friedrich Nietzsche, I would just like to take some time to say here that Existentialism sucks.

What about it do you disagree with?

I disagree with the presupposition that one can reject the validity of objective truth and simultaneously effect a meaningful self-purpose. I am also in disagreement with multiple conjectures that are further derived from this assumption.

The stance you're taking is not unreasonable, and is one that is indefinitely assumed by many.

In its application though, especially for me being that I'm not so fond of the idea of some God or other dictating, it has its appeals. Not that I'm a hardcore existentialist or anything. :)

I'm not in favor of an "ultimate truth", regardless if its a deity or government, but rather, I don't understand why someone would rather delude themselves than accept reality.

Example:

Person #1: I believe in God and I therefore, I accept the reality of actions being objectively good and bad.

(Religious Non-Existentialist)

Person #2: Although I reject the validity of an impartial creator, and and an all-encompassing definition of right and wrong, I shall effect my own version and live by it accordingly.

(Existentialist)-Ugh!

Person #3: I repudiate any and all claims to objectivity, I believe in wholeheartedly that God is in fact dead, and I won't effect personal views to live by because I know fully well that no action, including murder, rape, altruism, and "love", have any intrinsic value. Therefore, I understand that to hide myself behind a personal flawed perspective would be an insult to my existence.

(:))

Also, I believe that to take a stance similar to that of Person #3 you do not have to be atheist, donc I would rather prefer that you refrain from including religion too much in your response, since I hate religious debates. :P

[Explicit]

To believe in anything at all is ultimately living in delusion, wouldn't you say? That encompasses fabrications of the mind as well as what we perceive to be reality.

Ah well, enough is enough. Thanks for sharing your perspective, Deuce. :)

[d&q]

Lemme just quickly address that. A tenet of existentialism that I accept is that "existence precedes consciousness". Meaning, that first and foremost, our existence, our world, and our perceptions are realities, and our consciousness can be derived from this (or rejected, by some). I think it's best expressed as the converse of Descartes famous statement: "I am, therefore I think."

So no, what we perceive to be reality is not a delusion.

[Explicit]

That tenet is still contingent upon consciousness, because in order to accept existence as a truth, you must be conscious.

I'm seeing this as something that can be swung both ways.

[Ender]

I DID NOT MEAN FOR MY THREAD TO BECOME AN EXISTENTIALIST DEBATE!!!!!

OFF-TOPIC!!!!!!!

[rabbit]

THAT'S VERY EXISTENTIALIST!  ON-TOPIC!