And what is nihilism? Nihilism is the philosophy that captures what I just shared. I feel like you're getting the definitions mixed up. ~ Dmitry Pisarev. It's like two different reactions to the meaningless of life. To be more precise, a nihilistic way of looking at things. So it was kind of the other way around for me. Depression is a physical and psychological ailment not explicitly related to the philosophy or the ideas of Nihilism. nebetsu. His novel Guernica Night is so relentlessly downbeat as to be almost unreadable. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. It's not pessimistic nihilism - it's just how nihilism is. I feel like you're getting the definitions mixed up. 'Nothing matters' is used when talking from. Our lives have no purpose. same will take that as good thing same will be terrified of that thought. Warner Bros. In other words, some argue that passive nihilism accepts the destruction of value and meaning. I feel like pessimism or pessimistic nihilism might be what the person is speaking against? I don't know what the most adequate term would be. Nihilism is too pessimistic; Nihilists believe life is meaningless and contains no inherent purpose. 1 Of course, this is at odds with theistic viewpoints that claim that God created man for a purpose, and also, with the idea that if He didn't, life is meaningless - pessimistic nihilism. However, each of these thinkers attempts, in their own way, to "overcome" nihilism. Business, Economics, and Finance. “Nihilism isn’t sustainable as a magic feather. The quote is often misunderstood or taken out of context. that's the. After that we would all drink the alcohol of nihilism. Importantly, Nihilism is simply the “lack of. Schopenhauer seems to concede that it is impossible to escape nihilism (even with the strictest ascetic discipline), and in the end everything dies and disappears into nothingness. , that it is a form of Buddhism (GM P 5), based on the judgment that existence is worthless (GM II 21), and associated with a will to nothingness (GM II 24 and. 1. Personally, I don't see nihilism as pessimistic or optimistic, but nuetral. Epistemological nihilism leads to solipsism – the denial of any objective knowledge of. Reply reply SpliceKnight • It's mostly existentialism under your specific context, though *technically* the term was popularized from "In a Nutshell"'s video, and it basically maintains the nihilistic attitude, with a subjective meaning used as a focal point for the. Is it just that absurdism stresses that though we know the existence of humanity is insignificant, we should still strive to find meaning, while optimistic nihilists are content with there. Nihilism may be understood as a combination of theses. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. thus you percieve it to be harsh…Actually Nietzsche hated nihilism because it was the negation of life. It felt liberating that I don't have to conform to social norms but these times it just cycles to pessimistic nihilism and then to optimistic nihilism. Pessimistic nihilism revolves around the idea that miseries vastly outnumber pleasures and that happiness is impossible to achieve. Because they’re searching for an external source of meaning that they think SHOULD exist, and failing to find it. and the manga, for the real nihilistic feel. Optimistic and pessimistic nihilism refers to the interpetation of nihilism: if you're. We are talking about pessimistic nihilism. nihilism to me is simply the realization there is no objective meaning or morality, no purpose of being conscious as you might ascribe to say a toaster. It sucks that these stereotypes exist but that just means we need more optimistic nihilists to break these barriers. Nietzsche’s contemporary, Schopenhauer, had a remarkably pessimistic view of life, which Nietzsche himself characterized as a form of nihilism. same will take that as good thing same will be terrified of that thought. As a result there are not many contradictions in stoicism. Absurdism is all about rebelling against meaninglessness out of spite, while optimistic nihilism is more about accepting that nothing matters and looking at that as a good thing. It's. nihilism is just understanding that nothing matters and that's all. ago. Pessimistic nihilists (what most people think of) often do end up killing themselves sadly. Schopenhauer’s most influential work, The World As Will and Representation, examines the role of humanity’s main motivation, which Schopenhauer. I just wanted to clear this up because I see a lot of pessimists who think they are nihilists (you can be both, but it's not the same). A. This is so because,. They are just as much philosophies as atheism itself is. At the fundamental level of our existence everything we strive to achieve or had, every horror that we have experienced or that is too come truly bears no significance ,is meaningless and empty. Joyous nihilism was that experienced by those few who, like him, experienced the loss of an externally created and imposed moral structure as a liberation and not a great loss, and was the seed that. That's it. But in this case, we're not talking of the conventional meaning of pessimism and optimism. 7 A Clockwork Orange. The pessimist fears it is true. Actions are not destroyed at death and inherited in next birth. e. Pessimistic nihilists, or any other form of nihilism, are no more or less intrinsically and/or logically flawed than this sub's holy crusade for optimism. I know that nihilism is an ideology that says everything is meaningless and at some point, we're all going to die. In The Rebel, he offers us a way out of collective feelings of pessimistic nihilism and a philosophical and historical look at individuals, groups, states, etc that embraced the nihilism. Given the large overlap, it can be incredibly hard to actually distinguish the three, and it shows in most of your examples. Emans56 • 3 yr. Being optimistic about it is a choice of perspective that takes a person somewhere else philosophically other than nihilism. The pessimist fears it is true. In one account of human affairs, an all-powerful deity rules over everything. . Epistemological Nihilism . Crypto30 votes, 48 comments. I think Bertrand Russel. Premium Powerups Explore Gaming. 190 votes, 73 comments. r/nihilism. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy. Pessimistic nihilists threaten to undermine them by showing them how myopic and self-deluding those arguments actually are. ago. Assuming that nihilism is always pessimistic can lead to misunderstandings of the concept and oversimplification of complex philosophical ideas. Heck, tbh, I ponder the same thing. I mean at least pessimistic nihilism is a honest reaction to a meaningless life and makes complete sense but there is only one nihilism. And because life is about suffering, optimistic nihilism is a much weaker philosophical position than pessimistic nihilism. some use it to understand that money, status, eventually joy and similar things don't cost anything, but they still got something inside. it's like everyone hates morbius but nobody has seen it. Epistemological nihilism, therefore, can be defined as a form of philosophy that states. It is based on a deep-seated belief that there is no intrinsic purpose to life. nihilism is just punching bag of all other philosophies. There are many who would call themselves "Nihilists", who seem to fundementally misunderstand nihilism as being inherently…Pessimistic nihilism is actually a spin-off cynicism, pessimism, mix. None of the thinkers you described believed that life was necessarily without meaning, but rather that the decline of Christianity has lead to a depressing or pessimistic outlook on life, requiring a new kind of value. All your grudges, worries, and regrets are trivial in hindsight. That is why nihilism is divided into two; pessimistic nihilism and optimistic nihilism. ) It involves turning away from life and rejecting all the values of this world. The replication results in adolescents indicated that the three-profile model should be selected (see supplementary materials for details). v. e. Nietzsche was quick to reject European Buddhism as a life-negating and innately pessimistic philosophy. One proceeds in a pessimistic manner when they are expected to or themselves put the pressure to try to make something out of it. Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash. One day the last person who remembers you will die and you will be gone forever. Your parents don't matter to most other people or the universe, but they matter to you. So for the more optimistic…T. This video will explain the differe. Episodes: 12. The rejection of non-proven or non-rationalized assertions in the social and political spheres of society. Existentialism is about personal meaning, not just pleasure. The overcoming of radical nihilism and the manage- ment of pessimism, then, requires that the pessimistic phase of thought does not for long dominate the mind. Business, Economics, and Finance. (I have a much more pessimistic view of humans now than then, even with transhumanism and whatnot). 20 votes, 10 comments. Humans consistently search for meaning to explain life events. I don't feel hopeless or sad…Is the youth culture, or more precisely aparticular kind of it, to be characterized as “nihilistic”? And is this a threat or ablessing for education? To deal with this “nihilism” is first characterized generally andfollowing particular attention is paid toNietzsche's own version and revaluation ofvalues. Nihilism is the philosophical viewpoint that denies or lacks belief in any or all of the reputedly meaningful aspects of life. Every person is a nihilist to some degree. inheritance of actions). Hello all, TLDR: I need criticisms of nihilism. Existential nihilism != existentialism. I say forget it. the most famous philosopher wrongly associated with both nihilism and pessimism, actually wanted to create a life-affirming philosophy, and while he called for a "transvaluation of. Pessimists, on the other hand, tend to be arrogant, trying to assign objective value to. But I don't see any difference…He believed history would judge us, says Ian Birchall. Rather, black nihilism emerges in a variety of forms, including both optimistic and pessimistic modes. This can. , F. Many of my family and friends, most of whom are either fairly religious or humanistic/new atheist, know that I subscribe to the philosophy of nihilism, and therefore, given their limited understanding of the concept, probably expect me to behave in a pessimistic way. Nevertheless, Turgenev’s use of the word to describe the views he attributed to. Nihilism is a naturally developed system by the human brain that weeds out weak organisms incapable of survival. Zero is the default setting. Another example is if my worldview is that everyone should recycle to keep the environment clean, it doesn't mean that I wouldn't feel. ~ Ivan Turgenev. Optimistic nihilism does not try to do what you exclaimed, it simply is a alternative to pessimistic nihilism suggesting you should enjoy yourself and do what makes you happy until you die rather then see everything as pointless and meaningless. 'Optimism' implies positive meaning. Optimistic Nihilism leads Elias through life, providing a foundational philosophy that while life is inherently meaningless, we might as well figure out how to be happy during our. Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash. It's the reason Nietzsche made it his mission to defeat nihilism by the transvaluation of all values. Nihilism is a school of philosophical thought proposing that our existence fundamentally lacks inherent meaning. This article dives specifically into pessimistic nihilism and how to overcome it. e. ago. But in this case, we're not talking of the conventional meaning of pessimism and optimism. fleamont. Not by simply “being happier”, but by practicing better self-care, like exercising, meditating, cultivating loving friendships, and getting a good night’s sleep. Nihilism was a widespread school of philosophy that emerged during the 18th and 19th centuries throughout much of Europe and beyond. That is either optimistic nihilism or pessimistic nihilism. 2. This is essentially true, but. And secondly, if it did, it is unobtainable to human beings, so its existence is redundant. On the other hand, pessimism is characterized by a lack of hope and the belief. Nihilism brings everything to the same level. Without hyperbole it was one of the most powerful cinematic experiences I’ve ever had. The paradox of nihilism is a family of paradoxes regarding the philosophical implications of nihilism, particularly situations contesting nihilist perspectives on the nature and extent of subjectivity within a nihilist framework. Figures 1 and S1 present the latent means of optimism and pessimism for the four- and three-profile models to clarify the distribution of classes. Photo: HBO. To sum nihilism as pessimistic, as Nietzsche himself did at times, is to miss half of the point. Nihilism is an attempt to break traditional mental frames, to look for alternative ways, without stopping on anyone: if you stop, you become a believer, rather than a nihilist. Nihilism is basically thinking that there's no inherent meaning to life, that you aren't born or created with a meaning, but that's not necessarily pessimistic. Nihilistic Quotes. One of his early mentors, Schopenhauer, had been greatly exposed to Eastern philosophy in comparison to his Western counterparts. By definition, Nihilism is the realization that life has no inherent meaning. Synonyms for NIHILIST: nihilistic, cynical, fatalistic, pessimistic, despairing, defeatist, desperate, unlikely; Antonyms of NIHILIST: optimistic, hopeful, upbeat. nihilism ˈnʌɪ (h)ɪlɪz (ə)m/ noun the rejection of all religious and moral principles, in the belief that life is meaningless. Optimistic and pessimistic nihilism relies mostly on mood. Optimism and Pessimism are both Nihilism. To assume is to make a guess. 0 coins. It based. Andrew Diamond Author. It is a subjective response to the philosophy of Nihilism and it finds a reason to live in the face of meaningless. The optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds. “Certainty is not to be had. The true value of nihilism is how it frees us from the constraints of society to forge ahead as individuals rather than members of a crowd. "nothing" seems like such an abstract concept that we can't help but polarize it with there being a. This is because of the upbringing they gave you and the positive relationship you continue to experience with them. What is pessimistic nihilism? Pessimistic Nihilism is pretty much a synonym for existential nihilism. " It's the logical conclusion to centuries of philosophical inquiry and. When there is no meaning, all that's left is choice. For me it's wiser because you see the world for what it really is. That is to say they both recognize the disparity between the reality of thought and. Bingo. fleamont. Crypto Existential nihilism != existentialism. Conversationally we might. 9. Our interpretation is always going to be different but there is only one and, with it, there isn't any meaningful thing, no gratifying activity, no. This is where optimistic nihilism takes its place. This has been the one response I have found to the brilliant logic of pessimistic nihilism. Just because life has no intrinsic meaning does not mean that you cannot create meaning for yourself. Nope. ”Nihilism is a philosophical concept that states that there is no objective purpose, absolute meaning or value. Hence: the philosophy of humanistic absurdism. A disposition to take the least hopeful view of things. Synonyms for nihilism include agnosticism, unbelief, atheism, skepticism, scepticism, disbelief, nonbelief, non-belief, non-theism and absence of moral values. Optimistic nihilism is how they make sense of the world. Talking Down Angry Protesters and Hate Crime. Both say there is no objective meaning, however existentialism says you can arbitrarily assign meaning to things while existential nihilism asserts there is no meaning whatsoever. I've noticed that a lot of INTPs are nihilists, cynical and/or pessimistic. But I understand that whatever you've just stated here is probably the core of your life philosophy and you're just trying to make the best of a bad situation. a doctrine that denies any objective ground of truth and especially of moral truths. Positive Nihilists likewise, if pessimistic nihilists want plus, to get to zero, positive optimistic nihilists want to maintain positivity if not improve it. There is no such thing as a fundamental nihilist : Metaphysical nihilism, Epistemological nihilism, Mereological nihilism, Existential nihilism, Moral nihilism, Political nihilism, to name but a few. The optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds. Being optimistic about it is a choice of perspective that takes a person somewhere else philosophically other than nihilism. How to use nihilism in a sentence. Its origin is the Latin word ‘nihil’, which means. Optimistic Nihilism is a mindset, and a choice. Nihilism was a gloomy philosophical school from the 19th century – its leaders argued nothing mattered, and life had no higher purpose. The Conqueror 2. Nietzsche’s contemporary, Schopenhauer, had a remarkably pessimistic view of life, which Nietzsche himself characterized as a form of nihilism. They argue that life is meaningless and reject all religious and moral. In other words, some argue that passive nihilism accepts the destruction of value and meaning. Nihilism comes from the word ‘nihil’, which means ‘nothing’. e. Breaking Through to a Suicidal Mind. They feel down and like there's no purpose or meaning --> google smth like "there's no meaning"---> get nihilism as a result. Table of Contents (click to expand) Pessimistic Generalization; Nihilism Vs The World; Conclusion: When Life Gives You Lemons; Because nihilism denies the meaning one could subjectively attribute to something, which robs one of the agency one seems to be already exercising, the actors in the process of meaning-making (i. Some theories are quite a bit more pessimistic. Invariably, many of these refuse nihilism in favor of an absolutization of moral values,. There are many who would call themselves "Nihilists", who seem to fundementally misunderstand nihilism as being inherently pessimistic or fatalistic. Stoicism doesn't put absolute value on actions. comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment. It allows one to think for themselves and avoid the pitfalls of other people trying to convince you that your meaning is to serve someone else or to join someone else’s cause. of course, i’m an atheist. The association between nihilism and depression is entirely reasonable. The term nihilism comes from the Latin word ‘nihil’ which literally means “nothing. In this group, I haven't seen a pessimistic nihilist. Yet, you can still think nothing has intrinsic value, but unwittingly feel optimistic about it. 104. Some will realize they are depressed and not nihilist - some will feel pessimistic about how life is always - and some will be. But optimistic nihilism is more along the lines of, "nothing matters, so I can make my own meaning". So, if Nihilism isn't necessarily pessimistic, then optimistic nihilism can't be an oxymoron. In pessimistic terms, Schopenhauer's ideas were heavily influential in the anime and movie. This is because of the upbringing they gave you and the positive relationship you continue to experience with them. People assume that if you're a nihilist that you're hellbent on mass destruction or a depressed edgy teenager who doesn't have a social life. If nothing truly matters, that’s not a reason to be pessimistic. I chose to conclude; this means that all meaning is what you decide it to be. 145 votes, 53 comments. Time you enjoy wasting isn't wasted. v. P. Nihilism isn't optimistic nor pessimistic. Jun 19, 2022 - /r/tumblr is your destination for Tumblr related discussions, jokes, screenshots, and more. Rather, black nihilism emerges in a variety of forms, including both optimistic and pessimistic modes. A depressed person would say "life is meaningless", but the moment they're no longer depressed, they don't even ponder such a topic. It’s a spectacularly. Even if we accept that we are all going to suffer and die, and for no reason at all,. You're coming very close, yet not hitting the mark. I think the "pessimist" and "optimist" modifiers for "nihilism" aren't really the best words to capture what people seem to mean by the terms "optimistic nihilism" and "pessimistic nihilism". No nihilist, or anybody, is a constant Optimist. Life to me is neutral as well--and society is like clay or water taking different shapes and always changing. +33. Just to note, the word nihilism may refer to several different views in philosophy. The first type is life-affirming, the second type is pessimistic, the third type is indifferent, clinical and materialistic and the forth type is dehumanizing and immoral. Being pessimistic or optimistic is related to a person's emotions. Mike Thorn Author. r/Absurdism •. & Columbia-Warner Distributors. ”. Funny, positive, and intellectual, Elias gives a intriguing pathway and new perspective that resonates with teenagers. Hope and optimism are similar but distinct concepts. r/Absurdism •. com. It was a widespread style of thinking throughout 19th century Europe, led. Business, Economics, and Finance. Associated Item. Business, Economics, and Finance. I'm not a weeb, but the series and specially the movie are genial. We, “being bound in honour”, the reviewer said, “to ignore all words which are retracted by the Author”. I know see much of this as partly a result of a very primitive (not implying primitive necessarily is bad) naturalistic metaphysic that distorts what love is and reduces it to a good feeling for the one loving, on an ethical level somewhat. There’s nothing. Pessimism. While traditional nihilism can be viewed as pessimistic due to its stance on life’s inherent lack of meaning, optimistic nihilism takes this realization and frames it positively. 39 authors created a book list connected to nihilism, and here are their favorite nihilism books. Its existence is only made. 'Nihilism’ is based on the Latin word for `nothing’: nihil. But I understand that whatever you've just stated here is probably the core of your life philosophy and you're just trying to make the best of a bad situation. , you,. I dont get why most of why in the nihilism, while the very author of this doctrine, Nietzsche saw that there must be a way…That said, nihilism is a problem that the humanity will have to face as Nietzsche said; and existensialism, optimistic nihilism and stoicism along with others are just some answers/coping mechanism. (Life is an “unprofitable episode,” in Schopenhauer’s words. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844—1900) Nietzsche was a German philosopher, essayist, and cultural critic. Nihilism is a descriptive philosophy, not a prescreptive one. Anthony Carinhas Author. Valheim Genshin Impact Minecraft Pokimane Halo Infinite Call of Duty: Warzone Path of Exile Hollow Knight: Silksong Escape from Tarkov Watch Dogs: Legion. As one commentator has since noted, the entry concludes with a. I don't understand this. For the first time, in him nihilism becomes conscious. You could be either one of those and frame our world in a subjectively pessimistic, or optimistic matter. The movie does not start with Evelyn at a nihilistic base. But it is not nihilism. 1. Nihilism is nihilism, no shit. In conclusion, while nihilism may seem like a pessimistic or despairing philosophy at first glance, a growing body of thought suggests that it can be an optimistic and liberating way of. Others lack the mental fortitude to accept it, and wallow in it. An existential nihilist accepts that there is no point in anything and will not search for any. With respect to the universe, existential nihilism suggests that a single human or even the entire human species is insignificant, without purpose and unlikely to change in the totality of existence. Excerpt from a letter written by Lord Shaxx to the Speaker, dated three years ago: I do not appreciate wasting time that should be spent forging Guardians into their best selves. While traditional nihilism can be viewed as pessimistic due to its stance on life’s inherent lack of meaning, optimistic nihilism takes this realization and frames it positively. AstronautOk608 • 3 days ago. This aesthetic itself paved way for a whole movement of youth who took to bombs and propaganda. As a pessimistic nihilist I could say the same about the other side. Its some half absurdism hybrid, perhaps, but not nihilism. People shaming pessimistic nihilism or any form of nihilism need to stop. It uses the absurd plot as a device to deeply explore its themes, characters and relevant philosophies - mainly the central idea of the duality of pessimistic nihilism contrasted with optimistic nihilism, existentialism and absurdism, which is. Derived from the Latin word ‘nihil’ meaning ‘nothing’, Nihilism was quite possibly the most pessimistic school of philosophy. don't exsist in an… i was surprised too. They should not seek change, that is purpose, value. However, nihilism is the belief that our lives lack any meaning. Nietzsche recognized passive nihilism in the pessimistic philosophy of Schopenhauer and in Buddhism. Suffering is hardwired into all living things. It has been associated with several other outlooks and views, and it typically has pessimistic connotations. There are many flavors of this belief, and they are commonly—but not necessarily—paired with hedonism, pessimism, and cynicism. It implies the possibility of being wrong. Bert Lambeir 1 & Paul Smeyers 1 Studies in Philosophy and Education volume 22, pages 183–194 (2003)Cite this articleOptimistic Nihilism vs Pessimistic Nihilism. Like i feel like knowing nothing matters is a double edged sword on one hand , “yay nothing matters so i can do whatever i…Nihilism is what you make of it. "Optimistic nihilism" is just hedonism. To be your own guide in life is not an easy task. inheritance of actions). Quotes tagged as "nihilistic" Showing 1-27 of 27. D avid Bryant argues for an optimistic view of life ( Face to faith, July 14). Everything is nothing, including the consciousness of. Today’s. A nihilist, according to some, should neither condemn nor assert existence. To ask whether Buddhism is or is not a form of passive nihilism is to ask whether the summum bonum of Buddhism, nirvāna, can be understood in this sense. Nothing created us. I consider myself to be a "positive" nihilist. how do i consider and eat my club sandwich from the absurdist point of view. MadWhiskeyGrin •. In embracing it, you have the power to change your experience from a negative one to a positive one. As for the nihilism part, it also has gradients: pessimistic nihilism and optimistic nihilism. 31 votes, 51 comments. The same reason why pessimistic Nihilism is just as valid as optimistic Nihilism - perspective. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. Moral nihilism, also called ethical nihilism, is the meta-ethical position that no morality or ethics exists whatsoever; therefore, no action is ever morally preferable to any other. The philosophy of pessimistic nihilism is explained through Filthy Frank’s character. it's like everyone hates morbius but nobody has seen it. Nietzsche was. The. These two concepts differ in their approach to values, knowledge, and overall life meaning. I'm more inclined to pessimistic nihilism because no matter what works I may accomplish in life. t. – Nihle. I argue that Nietzsche’s formulation of nihilism specifically targets Schopenhauer’s pessimism. It's Absurdism. I appreciate this post so much and the fact that. A depressed and pessimistic person is likely going to view nihilism as confirming the depressing callousness of the universe, whereas the optimist will focus on how there are no binding obligations that constrict our. Nihilism is defined as "the rejection of all religious and moral principles, in the belief that life is meaningless. Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. The association between nihilism and depression is entirely reasonable. Existential nihilism. The pessimistic patient might expect the worst outcome, cause additional stress and anxiety, and believe that medications and lifestyle changes won’t help them. 42 votes, 16 comments. Thoughts can never be touched, they only exist inside of my head. 20 votes, 32 comments. The phrase itself is a contradiction. Nothing can occur without the knowledge and sanction of the omnipotent creator god. Then I realized that my view of nihilism is no different from my view of…Pessimism is a type of explanatory style in which individuals “expect the disadvantageous outcome when facing events of unknown emotional impact” (Herwig et al. Buddhism is not Annihilationism because it establish idea of karma (i. Nihilism, Nihilists, and Nihilistic Philosophy. therandomham • 7 mo. Nihilism can be Pessimistic. It's a movie that gives an end to the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. Bropiphany • 7 mo. Schopenhauer’s philosophy was the first Western reinterpretation and response to buddhist enlightened pessimistic thought. Aired: April 2011 – July 2011. Buddhism is not Nihilism because it does not reject values, morals, and religious truth. (Life is an “unprofitable episode,” in Schopenhauer’s words. An optimistic nihilist basically reaches the following conclusion: “Since there is no grand scheme here, I can, myself, decide what I should do with my life. If it did exist, it would exist when we are non-existent because we wont have to determine right or wrong through emotions if we didn't have a body to feel emotions with, if you understand what I mean. Pessimistic nihilism says that without purpose we should become depressed and feel hurt at our lack of meaning. Not understanding nihilism is what makes people see it as pessimistic.