The article contrasts existentialism and nihilism, emphasizing that while both deal with anxiety and fear, existentialism offers a more constructive approach. Nihilism serves as a defense mechanism against fear by promoting a sense of hopelessness, leading individuals to retreat from life. Conversely, existentialists acknowledge anxiety as an inherent aspect of life and strive to confront its complexities. The discussion highlights how cynicism may serve as a coping strategy, with individuals often preferring sadness over the discomfort anxiety brings, revealing deeper insights into human emotion and philosophy.
We fear life as much as death. And our cynicism, a persistent sense of hopelessness, is little more than a balm for that anxiety.
Those cynics among us believe they're the good ones and no one else can be trusted. They've weaved convenient tales to aid their sleep.
The existentialist chooses to live with anxiety... while the nihilist gives up on life; the existentialist accepts it and faces its ambiguities.
For the nihilist, truth, morals, and meaning don't exist, or at least are unattainable; they're mere delusions meant to keep anxiety and sadness at bay.
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