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The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists - Religion (6) - Nairaland

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Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by shadeyinka(m): 11:00pm On Feb 24, 2021
budaatum:

Ask anyone and most will not tell you the purpose of man is to love. It is not even the purpose of Christians.

The purpose of humans is to live!

For the rest, go find yourself an atheist to do this stupidity with. buda does not do 'my tits are bigger than your tits' when the purpose is to learn.
I don't know why you get angry at this simple question.

To whose advantage is living?

It's just like saying that the purpose of a tree is to live!

For a plant the core purpose is to contribute to maintaining the Carbon cycle, Oxygen cycle and conversion of solar energy into food.

Buda, isnt the feeling of love just chemical reactions in the brain?
Haven't you heard such kinds of argument from Atheists?

Just as the purpose of plants have been itemized in tangible terms, let Atheists say what their individual purpose is.
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by shadeyinka(m): 11:02pm On Feb 24, 2021
HellVictorinho:


A human being is living and that's the difference.
Artificial intelligence is different from human intelligence.
Artificial intelligence mimics human intelligence sir.

And a human being is just an advance AI robot!
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by budaatum: 11:02pm On Feb 24, 2021
shadeyinka:

Inherently every tree irrespective of where they are situated will contribute to the Carbon Cycle, Oxygen cycle and conversion of solar energy to food.

Listen carefully to how your brain is working:

Inherently every man will sh!t irrespective of where they are situated, so the purpose of man is to sh!t.
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by budaatum: 11:04pm On Feb 24, 2021
shadeyinka:

Artificial intelligence mimics human intelligence sir.

And a human being is just an advance AI robot!

So when scientists create advance AI robot they have become like God?
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by shadeyinka(m): 11:05pm On Feb 24, 2021
HellVictorinho:


Even shadeyinka gains nothing after death.
If was just star dust alone, I gain nothing but I am not. In addition, I have a soul and a spirit such that I survive after death. Here is our difference. You are just chemicals interacting with star dusts and as such, hopeless after death!
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by Nobody: 11:07pm On Feb 24, 2021
shadeyinka:

Artificial intelligence mimics human intelligence sir.

And a human being is just an advance AI robot!

I disagree.
Humans are not robots.

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Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by budaatum: 11:10pm On Feb 24, 2021
shadeyinka:

I don't know why you get angry at this simple question.

To whose advantage is living?
The advantage of living is to the one who lives. You lived today to your advantage.

I am not angry that you ask questions! I am angry that you insist on creating crap inside your head and you blind yourself so you can not see it.
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by Nobody: 11:12pm On Feb 24, 2021
.
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by budaatum: 11:14pm On Feb 24, 2021
shadeyinka:

Buda, isnt the feeling of love just chemical reactions in the brain?
Seriously?

shadeyinka:
Haven't you heard such kinds of argument from Atheists?
No I have not. I do not converse with the sort of brainless people who would say such a stupid thing. I think they must avoid me because I am far too intelligent for such nonsense.
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by shadeyinka(m): 11:27pm On Feb 24, 2021
budaatum:

Can you not see the false assumption you wish to disregard by working to the answer you want?

Why ask "why there is a beneficiary" when you have not found "who" benefits?
But you deleated my quotation that explains both the FOR and the WHY?

budaatum:

Is the flapping of hands the only means the person has of getting to the moon or is he just too stupid to try other ways of getting to the moon?
The example illustration my point very well.

Your argument was like:
The fact that we've never seen anyone fly by flapping his arms does not proof that it is impossible!

And I showed you why it is not necessary to have all the physical proof to make a conclusion

As a reminder:
You said: A lack of evidence is not proof.
And I agree but at the same time a lack of evidence does not make the resulting conclusion wrong


budaatum:

And yes, buda is very angry that you spent all day thinking and this rubbish is what you come up with! angry angry angry angry angry

If you did know your history, or shall I say, if you ate the fruit of the knowledge of human flight, you would know that getting to the moon started with man flapping his hands.
The question is:
Is it possible that a man can fly to the moon by flapping his hands?

Can we say that one shouldn't give an affirmative answer just because there is no evidence that such a feat has been accomplished before?

In perspective (all these argument came because), you blame me for asking you if you can find a single evidence of the possibility of an infinite regression of cause and effect!

Is an affirmative answer of NO to the question of man flying by flapping his hands a flimsy filling of the gap?
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by shadeyinka(m): 11:31pm On Feb 24, 2021
budaatum:

Seriously?


No I have not. I do not converse with the sort of brainless people who would say such a stupid thing. I think they must avoid me because I am far too intelligent for such nonsense.
Unfortunately, you took it personal because you came to their defence.

These are the kinds of arguments you hear when you discuss the existence of the soul/spirit with Atheists.

I think we can close this!
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by shadeyinka(m): 11:43pm On Feb 24, 2021
Martian:


Since every system supposedly work to the benefit of your Uncaused First Cause A.K.A. God.
What is the purpose of Pluto?

You've said one of the purposes of the sun is to supply plants on earth with energy so that they can ultimately benefit Man who benefits the Uncaused First Cause.
So, what is the purpose of the sun relative to Pluto?
Your question is like pointing inside the engine of a clock and asking me the question: why did the engineer put this small gear?
I know how to read time on the clock for that is the interface the engineer made between me and the clock.

I have never claimed I know all the answers as per why every planet or solar system exist. I am not the manufacturer.
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by Nobody: 11:48pm On Feb 24, 2021
shadeyinka:

Your question is like pointing inside the engine of a clock and asking me the question: why did the engineer put this small gear?
I know how to read time on the clock for that is the interface the engineer made between me and the clock.

I have never claimed I know all the answers as per why every planet or solar system exist. I am not the manufacturer.


Lol. I guess you don’t have enough information for your circular logic. If information about Pluto were available, you’d use it as support for your Uncaused First Cause but since it’s lacking you’re lost for words.

If the question had been about Jupiter and if you were privy to certain information, your response would be:

“Jupiter protects Earth and the other inner planets by deflecting comets and asteroids, because the Uncaused First Cause designed it that way”


Forget about “all” the answers. You don’t know enough to realize just how ignorant you are and how much you don’t know.

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Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by shadeyinka(m): 11:59pm On Feb 24, 2021
budaatum:

The advantage of living is to the one who lives. You lived today to your advantage.

I am not angry that you ask questions! I am angry that you insist on creating crap inside your head and you blind yourself so you can not see it.
The truth of the matter!?
Man gains nothing other than the transient joy and it's memory he has when he is happy and the food he put in his stomach. Every other thing is vanity.

What does a man gain by having children when he will die and leave them behind.
What is the advantage of wealth accumulated when at death you loose control.

It is like a man who won hundreds of millions in several lottery only to loose the whole money in one single day!

Has such a man really gained anything?

If the analogy of the lost lottery make sense, except for a higher purpose, man should be a nihilist.

The earth time of man feel like a mere dream. Some have nightmares while others have pleasant dreams but when they wake up, is there any difference?
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by shadeyinka(m): 12:01am On Feb 25, 2021
HellVictorinho:


I disagree.
Humans are not robots.
So, what makes man different from an advanced AI robot?
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by Nobody: 12:04am On Feb 25, 2021
shadeyinka:

So, what makes man different from an advanced AI robot?

grin grin grin
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by shadeyinka(m): 12:04am On Feb 25, 2021
budaatum:


So when scientists create advance AI robot they have become like God?
If humans can create a robot with consciousness, emotion, will and conscience, they have almost become god!
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by shadeyinka(m): 12:12am On Feb 25, 2021
budaatum:


Listen carefully to how your brain is working:

Inherently every man will sh!t irrespective of where they are situated, so the purpose of man is to sh!t.
Let's assume that somehow humans don't shit again, what will be threatened on the earth?

Now, let's assume that plants stop contributing to the Carbon Cycle, stop the Oxygen cycle and stop the conversion of solar energy to food, what will be threatened on the earth?

Are these two examples equivalent?

Your example is like saying:
Inherently every man plant will sh!t cast a shade irrespective of where they are situated, so the purpose of man plants is to sh!t cast shade.

Bad analogy sir!
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by Nobody: 12:18am On Feb 25, 2021
shadeyinka:

So, what makes man different from an advanced AI robot?

Google humans.
Then Google robots.
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by shadeyinka(m): 12:23am On Feb 25, 2021
Martian:


Lol. I guess you don’t have enough information for your circular logic. If information about Pluto were available, you’d use it as support for your Uncaused First Cause but since it’s lacking you’re lost for words.

If the question had been about Jupiter and if you were privy to certain information, your response would be:

“Jupiter protects Earth and the other inner planets by deflecting comets and asteroids, because the Uncaused First Cause designed it that way”


Forget about “all” the answers. You don’t know enough to realize just how ignorant you are and how much you don’t know.








Isn't it logical to speak about what you know?

If I made our solar system, then I can give you the reason why Pluto is where it it. It could even be for decoration. LOL!

On a more serious note, do you think it is possible for a computer or a clock to understand it's purpose?

Like, I can purchase a computer for the purpose of designing 3D parts (that is the purpose for which I bought the computer) but can the computer know this without entering into the 3D world space?

Or can a clock know that it's purpose is to keep a measure of time?

Note:
This is not about God or religion: just an intellectual discussion!
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by budaatum: 1:14am On Feb 25, 2021
My Lordreed, is this person ono and co who despite all the evidence are shouting kraken?

He sure argues like them!

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Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by 1Sharon(f): 1:58am On Feb 25, 2021
Omg, you're back
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by budaatum: 2:28am On Feb 25, 2021
shadeyinka:

Unfortunately, you took it personal because you came to their defence.!
Defence of whom? Atheists? From what?

You see, that is your problem. You see a philosophical discussion as a war you need to win instead of an opportunity to learn, so you close your eyes and only see what you think you must see instead of what is really there.

The op of this thread is an atheist. Hell is an atheist. Yet, nothing they have said on this thread in which they have been in support of nihilism, is supportable, and neither is their conduct, even Lordreed, an atheist, disagrees with their position, but you, fail to see that and blindly claim one supports what they say!

You need Christ in your life to teach you not to have enemies, because your inability to love your neighbours is making you blind and dishonest, and that I can not support, especially from a person who claims to worship God.
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by budaatum: 2:29am On Feb 25, 2021
shadeyinka:

Note:
This is not about God or religion: just an intellectual discussion!

Stop being dishonest! You make it about your god and your religion!
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by LordReed(m): 5:55am On Feb 25, 2021
budaatum:
My Lordreed, is this person ono and co who despite all the evidence are shouting kraken?

He sure argues like them!

Indeed my dear buda.

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Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by LordReed(m): 5:58am On Feb 25, 2021
HellVictorinho:


Even shadeyinka gains nothing after death.

Seems he imagines he does.

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Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by Nobody: 6:33am On Feb 25, 2021
shadeyinka:

So, what makes man different from an advanced AI robot?
Google it.

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Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by Nobody: 6:47am On Feb 25, 2021
budaatum:

Defence of whom? Atheists? From what?

You see, that is your problem. You see a philosophical discussion as a war you need to win instead of an opportunity to learn, so you close your eyes and only see what you think you must see instead of what is really there.

The op of this thread is an atheist. Hell is an atheist. Yet, nothing they have said on this thread in which they have been in support of nihilism, is supportable, and neither is their conduct, even Lordreed, an atheist, disagrees with their position,
but you, fail to see that and blindly claim one supports what they say!

You need Christ in your life to teach you not to have enemies, because your inability to love your neighbours is making you blind and dishonest, and that I can not support, especially from a person who claims to worship God.

I don't support nihilism.
I have plans or things I intend to do or activities I intend to carry out and I think my hands,legs, brain,etc have functions/purposes towards my execution of anything those plans involve.
Both the planned/voluntary and the unplanned/involuntary activities by me are profitable if they enhance survival.
But there is no reason why anyone survives.
In fact,the increase or decrease in the population of living things involve no purpose.
Ultimately, nihilism's account of purposelessness is different from my account of purposelessness.

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Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by shadeyinka(m): 8:30am On Feb 25, 2021
budaatum:

Defence of whom? Atheists? From what?

You see, that is your problem. You see a philosophical discussion as a war you need to win instead of an opportunity to learn, so you close your eyes and only see what you think you must see instead of what is really there.

The op of this thread is an atheist. Hell is an atheist. Yet, nothing they have said on this thread in which they have been in support of nihilism, is supportable, and neither is their conduct, even Lordreed, an atheist, disagrees with their position, but you, fail to see that and blindly claim one supports what they say!

You need Christ in your life to teach you not to have enemies, because your inability to love your neighbours is making you blind and dishonest, and that I can not support, especially from a person who claims to worship God.
All these arguments came about because I said that :

All atheists should naturally gravitate toward Nihilism
LordReed ,HellVictorinho and probably even you Buda protested.

And I said, if man is star dusts and he returns to star dust, what has he truely gained?

I used the analogy of the lottery t illustrate:
It is like a man who won hundreds of millions in several lotteries only to loose the whole money in one single day!

Has such a man really gained anything?

Other than for those who believe in resurrection, Shouldn't ALL men (irrespective of their religious inclination) be Nihilist?

My argument is that you can't choose to be the kind of Nihilist you desire to be (cosmic Nihilist , moral Nihilist , Existencial Nihilist or another type). It's either one is a Nihilist or Not

The OP himself in his opening said:

During my many years of diving into philosophy as an atheist/humanist, I came to a conclusion which many of my fellow atheists have also arrived at- life has no meaning or purpose.

The basic tenet of nihilism is that life has no purpose or meaning. There are many forms of nihilism;

The OP apparent solution (to the paradox of Nihilism) was to say:

My solution to this paradox is to separate the meaninglessness on a universal level from the logic that exists in the reasoning of the individual human life.

Emotions asides: why should a man be a non Nihilist if like a candle he end up still loosing his greatest asset in the bet to continue LIVING?
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by shadeyinka(m): 8:40am On Feb 25, 2021
LordReed:


Seems he imagines he does.
HellVictorinho:


Even shadeyinka gains nothing after death.

Eccl 2:11:
"And I looked upon all my works my hands made, and upon the labor I labored to do, and behold, all vanity and striving of the spirit, and no profit under the sun."

If life ends here on earth, shadeyinka also gain nothing after death!

Even if you don't like the idea (and ultimately it's a paradox), shouldn't all men be Nihilists?
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by LordReed(m): 8:41am On Feb 25, 2021
shadeyinka:

All these arguments came about because I said that :

All atheists should naturally gravitate toward Nihilism
LordReed ,HellVictorinho and probably even you Buda protested.

And I said, if man is star dusts and he returns to s
shadeyinka post=99401156:



Eccl 2:11:
"And I looked upon all my works my hands made, and upon the labor I labored to do, and behold, all vanity and striving of the spirit, and no profit under the sun."

If life ends here on earth, shadeyinka also gain nothing after death!

Even if you don't like the idea (and ultimately it's a paradox), shouldn't all men be Nihilists?
tar dust, what has he truely gained?

I used the analogy of the lottery t illustrate:
It is like a man who won hundreds of millions in several lotteries only to loose the whole money in one single day!

Has such a man really gained anything?

Other than for those who believe in resurrection, Shouldn't ALL men (irrespective of their religious inclination) be Nihilist?

My argument is that you can't choose to be the kind of Nihilist you desire to be (cosmic Nihilist , moral Nihilist , Existencial Nihilist or another type). It's either one is a Nihilist or Not

The OP himself in his opening said:



The OP apparent solution (to the paradox of Nihilism) was to say:

My solution to this paradox is to separate the meaninglessness on a universal level from the logic that exists in the reasoning of the individual human life.

Emotions asides: why should a man be a non Nihilist if like a candle he end up still loosing his greatest asset in the bet to continue LIVING?


There no where were it is stated that all atheists must be Nihilists. In fact most atheists I have heard speak reject Nihilism.

Unless you don't understand that Nihilism is the negation of purpose, value and meaning then I don't see why you think the finality of death is a Nihilistic position.
Re: The Paradox Of Nihilism- A Problem For Atheists And Humanists by MaxInDHouse(m): 9:06am On Feb 25, 2021
When a manufacturer invents a complex machine and the onlooker feels it's worthless of course it will remain worthless as long as the onlooker failed to ask the maker what's the purpose of the machine! cheesy
But let's imagine another passerby stopped and began examining the machine and after some time walk closer to the maker and asked for the purpose of making the machine, surely the maker will be glad to explain what he felt before making the machine, how he made it, the challenges he encountered while test-running the gadget and other things. Now if the inquisitive observer feel like possessing the machine the maker will be so happy to give him even with a instructional manual guide on how to get the benefits of the machine!

A Hebrew named Moses lived in Egypt, he was brought up in the king's palace but he chose to know the purpose of life,

The initiator of life picked interest in Moses and revealed to him how it all began "Genesis"

His intention to free a nation from slavery, give them the instructional manual and make them shinning example to other nations "Exodus"

Arrange for a tribe to serve as priests and lead the nation during worship "Leviticus"

Teach them how to group themselves for proper administrative purpose "Numbers"

And how this arrangement will bring lasting benefits to people from all other nations "Deuteronomy"


All those who neglect, ignore or reject the machine can never see anything worthwhile in the invention however millions are already enjoying it's benefits presently but when the maker decides to readjust the setting only those who purchase the gadget will be given the opportunity to own it for good! John 3:16 smiley

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