- New here? Consider Subscribing via RSS feed. It’s the best and fastest way to get content!
Following is the 4th installment of a series on Worldviews. There are seven questions presented by James W. Sire in his book, “The Universe Next Door,” which he says every worldview must answer. This book is used in many colleges for philosophy curriculum, and Sire writes from a Christian perspective. Though influenced somewhat by Sire, what I proceed to give answers to comes from my own words and thoughts. No quotes. If you want Sire’s opinion, let me know and I’ll provide that for you.
1. What is prime reality⎯the really real?
We are not sure. What seems real may very well be an illusion. Prime reality cannot be determined because humans have no basis for comparing, contrasting, or even judging. The universe is without the presence of a creator, or even what may be called the “footprints” of a creator. Everything that is, simply is⎯a regurgitation of matter from the natural universe.
2. What is the nature of external reality, that is, the world around us?
This comes without certainty also. We think external reality operates in uniform, especially the life-sustaining planet Earth, but we are really unsure. Since humans are inherently equal to the matter that surrounds them, they have no basis for being able to determine anything⎯lest they exhibit comprehension; and matter cannot comprehend. The relationship between humans and external reality cannot be determined. Furthermore, we are still the more uncertain if such a thing exists.
3. What is a human being?
Human beings are the product of matter regurgitated in the material universe. We think this to be the case, but are unable to say for sure. Humans appear to have choice and self-determination, but are without any certainty of actual autonomous behavior. Not having been created by a creator, humans are without purpose and meaning, without significance or value. Self-expression is not the result of some inherent characteristic, rather it is simply “functioning” matter. To be clear, one must avoid equating “functioning” with purpose or responsibility. Functional matter must be understood as matter that simply exists⎯or is⎯and “moves” about in a way we do not fully understand.
4. What happens to a person at death?
The question presupposes personhood. Matter is not personal. Therefore, “person” is an improper way of addressing “functional” matter. That being said, we do not actually know what happens to a person (if that is what we must call it) at death. It is supposed that the matter of which they are composed of will continue to exist in different unknown forms for an unknown period of time in a purposeless and meaningless state. However, the thing we identify as “person” comes to extinction.
5. Why is it possible to know anything at all?
Since humans have know been created with an intrinsic nature to “know,” they do not possess knowledge through any means of revelation, whether general or specific. Matter cannot “know” anything. If this were so, it would necessitate the idea that humans possess actual autonomous consciousness. How does matter “know” anything? It does not; it merely functions. Therefore, philosophical certainty escapes us as humans. What is “known” is entirely subjective and without grounds of maintaining objectivity. Thus, rational thought escapes humans as well; it is impossible to actually know anything at all.
6. How do we know what is right and wrong?
Again, the question is presented with presuppositions⎯that humans have desire for truth. Right and wrong are often times a collective agreement of a particular society or culture of what “ought” to be in order to effectively progress as that society or culture. This, though, holds no meaning because humans have no meaning. If humans were created, then objectivity could be applied, but this is not the case. Humans may think they know the difference between right and wrong, but the universe knows no such language; it simply is. Therefore, as worthless matter of the universe, humans do not know right and wrong objectively; neither objective goodness, nor corruptness does matter possess. There remains no sense of “oughtness.”
7. What is the meaning of human history?
What point is there in human history if there is no point of human existence? Just as purposeless is their existence, so is their history. One may be inclined to learn from history, so as to better himself, but he is ultimately unsure that what he perceives in history is true. There exists no metanarrative to history, and no culmination of events. In fact, we as humans cannot even be entirely sure we experience time, which would give us some objectivity so as to infer such a thing as human history. Nevertheless, we think we are certain that meaninglessness and purposelessness is the sum of human history.
- New here? Consider Subscribing via RSS feed. It’s the best and fastest way to get content!
Twitter Updates
In philosophy 101 (taught by my favorite Swedish agnostic) we discussed how relativism can get you on a slippery slope to nihilism.
But I'm not sure many people are willing to recognize that, because nihilism is…absurd and impossible usefully apply in a society.
You are correct. While it is impossible to be a consistent nihilist, many who are most consistent end up in mental institutions, or they commit suicide.
It's very sad.
Sure you can be consistent. Didn’t you guys see Fight Club? That’s nihilism in a box!
But didn't the main character find meaning in his own fantasy?
this is not nihilism. this is skepticism. and poorly described skepticism at that.
nihilism is merely the philosophy that one does not have beliefs, beliefs being intellectual commitments that cannot be overturned by evidence.
you can still be a nihilist and have scientific certainty about many things. science doesn't require belief, it requires testing and getting an answer that is 'good enough' to go forward on. for instance, i cannot 'prove' in the logical inductive sense that gravity behaves according to newtons equations, but if you don't use newtons equations in designing your rockets, you are a total moron. additionally, plenty about the human condition — love, anger, envy, hunger, fear, sadness, elation — are as investigable as any other natural phenomenon. therefore, you can actually be a nihilist — in that all your opinions are based on rational scientific inquiry, and not on beliefs which are arbitrary and immutable — and still have plenty of morals and opinions about the nature of warfare, genocide, abortion, criminal law, art, poetry, etc.
to put it simply, certainty is not required in actions. i do not have to be certain that the rock you threw at my face will hit me, or that it even exists, or that i even exist, or that i am not the dream of some magical superbeetle in another universe. however, if you do not duck when someone throws a rock at your face, you are very stupid. certainty of well over 99% can be achieved rather easily by investigation of the world around you, including your own emotional reactions to it. the need for absolute certainty is a mark of an insecure or narrow mind. nothing is ever certain, ever, and accepting this will disabuse you of plenty of the nonsense and circular logic that many belief based systems create.
what you have described, as above, is not only 'skepticism,' but it is full of so much jargon-y nonsense that i would not give you even a C- if you submitted this as an explanation of skepticism to one of the phil 110 (intro for philosophy majors, as opposed to phil 101, which is philosophy for jocks), classes i T.A.
Phil:
Thanks for stopping by. I have a question for you: Are you a nihilist?
"the need for absolute certainty is a mark of an insecure or narrow mind." You sound very opened minded about that
You define nihilism very differently from what I have heard and read. Maybe you refer to a different form of nihilism.
I am not sure what this person is referring to. I am open to criticism, but when someone sounds like they just want to bash, and judge my critique as being " jargon-y nonsense that i would not give you even a C-," yet you do not even capitalize the first letters of your sentences, I tend to be a bit "skeptical" of your ability to evaluate academically.
Nevertheless, I will give the benefit of the doubt.
Jon, __In truth, you write with a lot of big words and concepts I don't grab. He is probably a laymen like me who just does not get it. PhD? Maybe, but a PhD who is a little more average. :p
I am absolutely certain that I have an open mind
Haha! I love it!
I guess you are not a nihilist, then!
N ope, and I'm absolutely certain that there's an absolute truth. I am certain of the love I have for Jesus just as I'm certain of His love for me. It's not based on feelings or scientific natural reactions, but a commitment that is made and free for all who will receive it. The truth will indeed set you free. I tried to live without certainties or laws but the fact is – there is a right and wrong way to do things. Life has gray areas, yes, but OUR reaction doesn't have to be. Stand firm in what you believe, but if someone has a solid answer don't be afraid to listen as if you would become a black & white narrow-minded individual, embrace it. There is a lot to learn in this life and that I am CERTAIN of.
With much love,
Teresa
Let me put it like this. You are like Paul, sometimes I dont understand what the heck you are saying. I prefer being like Peter — Sub-average intelligence and likes to fish (I just need a pole).
Thanks for the public encouragement Teresa. And you make a good point, that we who are Jesus followers can listen to other, learn from them, and not lose our God given conviction.
I don't think our friend, though, is coming back to re-comment and explain his critique. Either way, there should be something I can take from his comment and learn from.
I'm just a wannabe intellectual. I have to look up words in the dictionary when I visit your site.
BTW, what's the Pole for, to dance with?
Surely to fish with, would'nt you think?
I just use a thesaurus .. and spellcheck. Thank God for these two tools! (my original spelling on that first word was "thesoris")
ni⋅hil⋅ism /ˈnaɪəˌlɪzəm, ˈni-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [nahy-uh-liz-uhm, nee-] Show IPA
Use nihilism in a Sentence
See web results for nihilism
See images of nihilism
–noun 1. total rejection of established laws and institutions.
2. anarchy, terrorism, or other revolutionary activity.
3. total and absolute destructiveness, esp. toward the world at large and including oneself: the power-mad nihilism that marked Hitler's last years.
4. Philosophy. a. an extreme form of skepticism: the denial of all real existence or the possibility of an objective basis for truth.
b. nothingness or nonexistence.
5. (sometimes initial capital letter) the principles of a Russian revolutionary group, active in the latter half of the 19th century, holding that existing social and political institutions must be destroyed in order to clear the way for a new state of society and employing extreme measures, including terrorism and assassination.
6. annihilation of the self, or the individual consciousness, esp. as an aspect of mystical experience.
ni·hil·ism (nī'ə-lĭz'əm, nē'-)
n. 1.Philosophy
a.An extreme form of skepticism that denies all existence.
b.A doctrine holding that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated.
2.Rejection of all distinctions in moral or religious value and a willingness to repudiate all previous theories of morality or religious belief.
3.The belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement.
4.also Nihilism A diffuse, revolutionary movement of mid 19th-century Russia that scorned authority and tradition and believed in reason, materialism, and radical change in society and government through terrorism and assassination.
5.Psychiatry A delusion, experienced in some mental disorders, that the world or one's mind, body, or self does not exist.
Definition 4 is closer to this post, as it pertains to the "philosophy" of nihilism.
Thanks for the definition!
So much slanderous almost visiousness going on…what happened to "yaya-naynay"?
I am proud of you son, & Jason, how is Wil?
Your baby brothers, "Nathan, & Wesley", say …"Hi big brothers, how are you guys doing?"
It's interesting how these definitions include "skepticism," which our friend earlier denied existed in nihilism. The very word "nihil" means "nothing," and is where we get our word "annihilation."
It denies all things, including reason. Since this is so, no one can be a consistent nihilist because as soon as they would utter a sentence, they would defy their own philosophical worldview.
Well, not everyone who would come to this site is Christian. I don't think the person "Phil PhD" is a Christian, but I still welcome him to comment. There ought to be something I learn from him.
We are doing well. I got a job lined up finally. My girls are doing well. Jamey is good. How old are they now?
But still ALL are the definitions of the word, whichever one decides to choose
Told'ya I'm just a wannabe!
True, all are definitions. Most of them, though, stem from one philosophical idea. The question becomes not what each person's definition is, but what is the idea behind each definition that gives birth to each form.
Of corse all wont be christians but MUST be treated as if they are "What would Jesus do?"…lol
Nathan is doing great & "I thought I gave this info to you & Jamey", He is 2 &1/2 years old
And Wesley is also doing fine & he is 9 mo.'s old
Please 4give if I havent told you how old they, "your brothers" are, I was for sure everyone knew when they were born, lol… But its ok, I know how things go,…lol…I am not for sure how old my grand-daughters are…wow, So yes I understand
Well, thats is sort of a far out & wirey way to look at tho, because thats a far fetched & imposible thing to happen, everything has a limit, as does that funny, sorta point making idea…lol
Nathan, just how are some of my comments disapearing?
My comments are for ALL to see son
I don't know. I got an email showing your comment, but I cannot see it here. It was the one about Nathan and Wesley's age. I don't see it here either.
Are they being deleted?
Ha! Found your comment! Samantha is 6 and Kristen is 4.
Hey man, I didn't delete anything. Chill out.
You have to look at the "reply" link.
No, they are not being deleted. Just check the links "reply"—that's all.
Well, actually there are 3 comments that I saw as I posted them but then when I refreshed the page, they did not show…lol
I have deleted people's comments before when they have been down right bashing and using strong negative words. When that happens, I usually moderate the comments, which means when someone leaves a comment, it will not be posted on the site until I approve it. It has been quite a while since I've had to do that, which I am thankful for.
I did not say that you were deleting them son, I just asked if they WERE being deleted, I guess somehow they are being deleted or at least not being posted, some kind of glitch,or something like that…lol,…so I guess I'll just mosey on, and talk atcha' L8r,…It's always a pleasure to visit and chat with you son…, and you said that you just reply to the E-mail?…well your reply to the 3 comments did not show either. L8r son I love you all!!!