Is nihilism and Stoicism similar?

Is nihilism and Stoicism similar?

Although it’s obvious that Stoicism and Nihilism have a lot of common ground, there are some differences between the philosophies as well. Stoicism goes against some of the values of modern society. Nihilists believe that life is meaningless and that wealth and power are worthless.

Is nihilism the opposite of Stoicism?

So in short: traditional Stoicism is incompatible and therefore distant from nihilism; Stoicism derived from ideal nature is compatible and can be close to nihilism; Stoicism derived from practicality is compatible and can be close to nihilism (and, if you’ve deriving your ethics from practicality alone, probably is).

Can a nihilist be optimistic?

Optimistic nihilism views the belief that there is no underlying meaning to life from a perspective of hope. The optimistic nihilist looks at a world lacking meaning and purpose and sees the opportunity to create their own. Optimistic nihilism can be an incredibly empowering belief.

Is Absurdism a stoicism?

The logos in Stoic philosophy animates and permeates all of existence and gives it a reasoned, purposeful nature. Everything about Absurdism is opposed to the idea of a reasoned and ordered universe. Absurdism is about the total lack of a so called logos.

Who invented optimistic nihilism?

Friedrich Nietzsche
Nihilism has existed in one form or another for hundreds of years, but is usually associated with Friedrich Nietzsche, the 19th century German philosopher (and pessimist of choice for high school kids with undercuts) who proposed that existence is meaningless, moral codes worthless, and God is dead.

Is Albert Camus a Stoic?

It is too much to say that Camus was a Stoic. Perhaps a neo- or para- Stoic is closer to the mark. [ii] It is anyway little known that Camus was one of the small number of 20th century philosophers of note to have been directly influenced by the ancient Graeco-Roman philosophy.

What is the relationship between nihilism and Stoicism?

Nihilists are sometimes stoic because strong emotions require giving more of a shit about things than nihilism would normally allow, but since having strong emotions doesn’t disqualify you from nihilism and therefore stoicism is more of a choice than anything else, even that doesn’t really count as a relationship between the two.

What is the difference between nihilism and pessimism?

Nihilism and Stoicism have little to no overlap—the ancient Stoics spoke forcefully against nihilistic arguments in their day. Pessimism: another broad term that generally indicates any attempt to disabuse ourselves of irrational, idealistic notions or false hopes.

What is a Stoic perspective on pessimism?

Stoicism uses pessimism as a sort of clinical methodology: we should acknowledge that bad things will inevitably happen that are outside of our direct control (at the very least, we will all die), as a means of reminding ourselves to focus on living a virtuous life as our main goal, regardless of what Fortune sends our way.

What is nihilism and why is it bad?

Nihilism: there is no real meaning or value to human nature or anything else. Value (or “value,” in scare quotes) is constructed by us from a tabula rasa. Quote unquote “bad” things happen, but what is “bad” anyway?