existentialism vs nihilism

[kahljorn]

"hom I've never known to use the term and its applicability to him is something of a debate)"

From what I understand Nietzche actually used something like the term nihilism to describe the state which christian ethics would put us in. I think it was something about attaching yourself to unattainable values and the chaos which proceeds recognizing that you cannot attain them.

I think he talks about it in Will to power in the first chapter.

I know the stranger is supposed to be about a person who thinks that everything is meaningless, but I'm not positive if that's actually what he thinks.

[23_]

Originally Posted by kahljorn

From what I understand Nietzche actually used something like the term nihilism to describe the state which christian ethics would put us in. I think it was something about attaching yourself to unattainable values and the chaos which proceeds recognizing that you cannot attain them.

I think he talks about it in Will to power in the first chapter.

This is true. He spoke about attaching yourself to "morals" that are immoral, and therefore unattainable and without purpose.

[Fat_Hippo]

Huh, by that definition I'm most definitley an existentialist. Don't believe in god or any pre-ordained purpose, but don't think that means I should just torment the shit out of everybody just for the fun of it.
Great, now I already know that I'm an atheist and an existentialist. Any more ways I could classify myself?

What are people called who don't believe in destiny but in decisions and luck?

[JediScum]

Originally Posted by Fat_Hippo

What are people called who don't believe in destiny but in decisions and luck?

"Crapshooters". "Serendipidists".

EDIT: That's prolly wrong. "Crapshooter" implies gambling, not knowing either way, just throwing it out there.

Serendipity would be a fortuitous accident. I've had many.

Though I used to "all about" nihilism as a teen, I think I'm closer to existentialism/absurdism now.