I’m all for optimistic nihilism. Nothing is true, everything is permissible, and do what thou wilt is the whole of the law.
Nevertheless, I had changed the trajectory of at least one person’s life when I asked her to marry me and she said yes. I owe her too much to act as if what happens to her after my death isn’t at least partially my responsibility. I won’t go to my grave knowing I was that sort of man.
Traditional marriage vows are “in sickness and in health, till death do us part”. My vow will outlast the heat death of the motherfucking universe. I’m hers for as long as she’ll have me.
Optimistic Nihilism is “even though there isn’t an inherent meaning to things, this woman is important to me so I prioritize her well-being even when I’m not around.”
It’s that you define what is permissible in order to bring about the most happiness to the most important parts of your life.
It’s not “nothing matters so everything is permissible.” That would be just regular old self-centered nihilism.
Why not Optimistic Nihilism? When nothing inherently matters you’re free to choose what matters to you.
I’m all for optimistic nihilism. Nothing is true, everything is permissible, and do what thou wilt is the whole of the law.
Nevertheless, I had changed the trajectory of at least one person’s life when I asked her to marry me and she said yes. I owe her too much to act as if what happens to her after my death isn’t at least partially my responsibility. I won’t go to my grave knowing I was that sort of man.
Traditional marriage vows are “in sickness and in health, till death do us part”. My vow will outlast the heat death of the motherfucking universe. I’m hers for as long as she’ll have me.
Optimistic Nihilism is “even though there isn’t an inherent meaning to things, this woman is important to me so I prioritize her well-being even when I’m not around.”
It’s that you define what is permissible in order to bring about the most happiness to the most important parts of your life.
It’s not “nothing matters so everything is permissible.” That would be just regular old self-centered nihilism.