Schopenhauer and the striving
For Schopenhauer the will is the thing in itself, all revealed and bare to anybody who looks at the phenomena of every day matter. The will is inherent in Continue Reading
The 2021 Happy Nihilist’s Bedside Reader
Welcome to the first of an occasional series of philosophical fiction from the Stand Up Philosophers – This compendium of 5 science fiction and fantasy articles is a light read Continue Reading
Premeditatio malorum – ‘premeditation of adversity’
We just don’t know for certain what is around the corner as we go about living our lives. When times are rosy, we naturally let our guard down in Continue Reading
Your Purpose in (Post)Modernity
Your reason for being here? Your parents met and you were born. That explains the ultimate cause for your existence up to this point in time, and any questions asking Continue Reading
Why am I Anxious?
Why am I anxious? Your conscious mind is like an ant that rides on top of an elephant. It might think that it’s in charge, but it isn’t! Continue Reading
What is emptiness?
“When emptiness is possible Everything is possible; Were emptiness impossible, Nothing would be possible.” – Nagarjuna When something is described as empty, what is typically meant Continue Reading
The Stoic Coffee Book
Ancient wisdom for the modern world – If you’re looking for a book on stoicism that covers a broad range of issues, in an easily digestible format then you’ve come Continue Reading
What is a philosophy?
There is a great deal of information present within all of reality, so much so that the sensory input of it all can be overwhelming. Human brains, minds and sensory Continue Reading
No Ship of Theseus
Theseus’ paradox has been a contested thought puzzle throughout the ages of Western philosophy. The Ancient Greek philosophers were known for having heated debates circling in about the ship’s Continue Reading
What is the point of philosophy?
Was a question asked by an unknown student attending Plato’s Academy, who was then promptly thanked for his interest and dismissed from the class which in retrospect seems a little Continue Reading
The ship of Theseus
Theseus’ paradox, more popularly known as the ship of Theseus, is an ancient thought experiment first appearing in the writings of the famous ancient Greek historian, biographer and philosopher Continue Reading
Schopenhauer and Presentism
While reading On the Vanity of Existence, an essay by German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, I came across this which I will share the excerpt: “That which has been exists no Continue Reading
Experience Nothing and be like Socrates by looking death in the eye!
An experience of nothing is a very sought-after meditative discipline in the Buddhist community, usually it takes a long time, years in fact for a Buddhist practitioner to attain the Continue Reading
A stab in Schopenhauerian pessimism – enjoy youth while you can…
“In early youth, as we contemplate our coming life, we are like children in a theatre before the curtain is raised, sitting there in high spirits and eagerly waiting Continue Reading
Nihilism as a Negating Philosophy
Nihilists negate any sense of personal meaning as illusory, this might sound pessimistic but it doesn’t have to be. The mind that makes a judgement of pessimism is also capable Continue Reading
The trap of expectation
Large featured image, just so you get the message! While reading through German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer’s Counsels and Maxims, I came across this sentence: “The safest way of not Continue Reading
The Arbitrary Nature of Evil
I’ve finally sussed out how to use Instagram and as is my want have joined several philosophical communities on the blasted thing one of which posted a quote by Nietzsche Continue Reading
Stoic response to death – Returning to non-existence
The notion there’s no afterlife after death, only an oblivious nothingness absent of consciousness, was an idea already familiar in the ancient world. The Greek philosophers entertained this view Continue Reading