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How to deal with nihilism?


Hey -


That’s a pretty philosophical question, so there’s really no right answer to it. Here’s what I think:


In simple terms, nihilism is the rejection of the existence of moral truths or values, and and the belief that life is ultimately meaningless. Without considering the different interpretations and nuances of this idea, it seems like a pretty common idea. I’m sure this is something that has crossed everyones mind at some point.


You could take the more depressing approach and say, “life has no meaning, so what’s the point of doing anything?” But you could also look at it differently: “since life has no meaning, why not do whatever you want?” Personally, I tend to agree with the latter. It can be almost comforting to believe that nothing we do matters - so why not take the chance and do everything? We’re not telling you to go jump off cliffs (and we take no responsibility if you do), but rather to not overthink your decisions. Don’t be afraid to try something new and get out of your comfort zone - after all, if life truly has no meaning, then there’s no excuse for you to not do something. Of course, remember to stay safe. If you want to know more about the meaning of life, feel free to check out this previous response here.


As with most philosophical ideas, it’s up to you to figure out how you want to interpret it and what you want to take away from it. You could explore different concepts within philosophy - maybe you’ll find something that changes your mind. Or maybe not. My advice is just to be open to new ideas and experiences and to not overthink it. There are also great people and resources available at school if you want to talk. And, we’re always here to answer any more questions you might have :)


Best,

Dear Letterbox



Image source:

Dear Letter Box // ISB

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