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[nebula]

Hi nebula,

My first thought is that I'd want to be careful not to pass judgement when I don't have enough information. What book are you referring to?

Sorry, but I thought it was common knowledge that Douglas Adams got his inspiration for Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy while in a drunken stupor.

And as funny as the series is, the message is very, very Nihilistic.

[caughtinside]

Earlier you said he wrote it while in a drunken stupor. Did he get the inspiration for it in a stupor, or write it while in a stupor?

Absurdism and nihilism are often bedfellows, to be sure. I'd like to hear more of your thoughts on the nihilism. I'm not doubting you, but the stories have quite a few levels and I'm not sure the ultimate message is nihilistic. I admit it has been a long time since I read them.

Hey is the weekend upon us AGAIN?

[nebula]

Earlier you said he wrote it while in a drunken stupor. Did he get the inspiration for it in a stupor, or write it while in a stupor?

Well, I meant the inspiration for it.

It would be rather difficult for him to write an entire book in one night of drinking. My appologies for the mixed-communication.

Absurdism and nihilism are often bedfellows, to be sure. I'd like to hear more of your thoughts on the nihilism.

I hadn't learned about absurdism as a world view.

But the basic premise of Nihilism is that life has no meaning.

Nihilism

[artsylady]

There are thousands of missionaries doing God's work in the remote jungles living in extremely difficult circumstances that are quite happy being in the will of God, and there are those who have money, fame, looks etc who are killing themselves.

Any thoughts from nonbelievers?

What makes a life fulfilling, happy, content, at peace?

[caughtinside]

Hey nebula,

Absurdism isn't the shut-down on meaning and purpose that nihilism is. In "Hitchiker's" you do find nuggets of values, ethical statements, etc., so I see it more as an absurdist work. Here is how Kierkegaard described it:

What is the Absurd? It is, as may quite easily be seen, that I, a rational being, must act in a case where my reason, my powers of reflection, tell me: you can just as well do the one thing as the other, that is to say where my reason and reflection say: you cannot act and yet here is where I have to act... The Absurd, or to act by virtue of the absurd, is to act upon faith ... I must act, but reflection has closed the road so I take one of the possibilities and say: This is what I do, I cannot do otherwise because I am brought to a standstill by my powers of reflection.

I know what nihilism is, I was wondering about your thoughts on the nihilism of "Hitchhikers." This time it's my turn to be sorry for the confusion!

[nebula]

What is the Absurd? It is, as may quite easily be seen, that I, a rational being, must act in a case where my reason, my powers of reflection, tell me: you can just as well do the one thing as the other, that is to say where my reason and reflection say: you cannot act and yet here is where I have to act... The Absurd, or to act by virtue of the absurd, is to act upon faith ... I must act, but reflection has closed the road so I take one of the possibilities and say: This is what I do, I cannot do otherwise because I am brought to a standstill by my powers of reflection.

Say again?

I know what nihilism is, I was wondering about your thoughts on the nihilism of "Hitchhikers."

Oh, I see!

All I can say is - well, I'm glad you found meaning out of the series!

When I was in high school, I thought it was so refreshing to finally have a book without some deeper meaning or lesson it was supposed to teach or advocate . . .

And then in college I learned about World Views, one being Nihilism, and how "Hitchiker's" exemplified Nihilism.

I was crushed.

Sorry that wasn't the deeper meaning you were looking for.

[caughtinside]

Here's something interesting.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080329/ap_en_...E3Sr6Z0XC6mG78C

nebula, I'll get back to you soon. Maybe in a new thread. Suddenly I want to go read the books again! AND watch Fight Club again!

[Grungekid]

Hey nebula,

Absurdism isn't the shut-down on meaning and purpose that nihilism is. In "Hitchiker's" you do find nuggets of values, ethical statements, etc., so I see it more as an absurdist work. Here is how Kierkegaard described it:

What is the Absurd? It is, as may quite easily be seen, that I, a rational being, must act in a case where my reason, my powers of reflection, tell me: you can just as well do the one thing as the other, that is to say where my reason and reflection say: you cannot act and yet here is where I have to act... The Absurd, or to act by virtue of the absurd, is to act upon faith ... I must act, but reflection has closed the road so I take one of the possibilities and say: This is what I do, I cannot do otherwise because I am brought to a standstill by my powers of reflection.

I know what nihilism is, I was wondering about your thoughts on the nihilism of "Hitchhikers." This time it's my turn to be sorry for the confusion!

It sounds like Absurdism is really more akin to Tolstoy's accepting of the irrationality of life, or just a synonym for a person who tends to use faith as a basis for their existential answers to life's questions, rather than a nihilist. The two are actually quite different if I'm comprehending this successfully.

[caughtinside]

Hi Grungekid,

I'm going to start a thread where we can compare absurdism and nihilism (and whatever else that pops up). I was exposed to absurdist literature in college, but that was a while back. I've had to surf around and read up on it--so with that caveat...

by the way, I read in another thread you were thinking about asking a Mormon questions about how they see non-Catholic religions. I grew up Mormon, even did the two-year mission , so if you feel like starting a thread, I'd be happy to answer questions.

[Grungekid]

Hi Grungekid,

I'm going to start a thread where we can compare absurdism and nihilism (and whatever else that pops up). I was exposed to absurdist literature in college, but that was a while back. I've had to surf around and read up on it--so with that caveat...

by the way, I read in another thread you were thinking about asking a Mormon questions about how they see non-Catholic religions. I grew up Mormon, even did the two-year mission , so if you feel like starting a thread, I'd be happy to answer questions.

That would be awesome. I'm having a tough time finding affordable knowledge through any other means.