Does Death Prove Nihilism?<\/p>\n
The honest answer \u201cYes! If biological death is total annihilation.\u201d<\/p>\n
In my bookConfronting Sexual Nihilism<\/a>, I made a case that if there are categorical moral laws for controlling our sexuality life is not meaningless. We have something to live for. Our lifelong duty is to make ourselves the kind of person who conforms to these laws. Even more generally, throughout our whole lives we have the duty of making ourselves the kind of person who performs our moral duties. <\/p>\n However, the nihilist within me retorts \u201cWhat does it matter that you have done your duty?\u201d<\/p>\n The Book of Wisdom<\/em> is an excellent source for reminding us what needs to be included in a strong philosophical antidote against nihilism. In addition to establishing the existence of a divine moral commander, there is a need to establish survival after biological death and the reality of postmortem reward and punishment. I quote extensively from the New American Bible<\/em> because the Book of Wisdom<\/em> expresses so elegantly the victory of nihilism if biological death is total annihilation.<\/p>\n I do not quote from Wisdom<\/em> because it presents a philosophical antidote to nihilism. It does not. It expresses what I hope to justify philosophically. It expresses my religious dismissal of nihilism.<\/p>\n In Chapter Two, verses 1 \u2013 9 the sage characterizes the nihilism of those believing death is total annihilation. A significant case against nihilism requires a case for unending survival after biological death. <\/p>\n If however, in an after life the fate of the just and unjust are the same, then it does not matter whether we were just or unjust. In effect, there is still the nihilism of everything being permitted. Wisdom<\/em> points out elegantly the hope of hell \u2013 damnation as part of the anti nihilistic stance. I quote a few passagesfrom Ch. 3 frequently read at funerals..<\/p>\n 1.The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, So a philosophical case against nihilism needs to include a case for hell.<\/p>\n I cannot have a reasonable hope that life has meaning and a purpose unless I have a reason supported fear that I can go to hell!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Does Death Prove Nihilism? The honest answer \u201cYes! If biological death is total annihilation.\u201d In my bookConfronting Sexual Nihilism, I made a case that if there are categorical moral laws for controlling our sexuality life is not meaningless. We have something to live for. Our lifelong duty is to make ourselves the kind of person … Continue reading <\/p>\n <\/span>
\nFor, not thinking rightly, they said among themselves:
\n\u201cBrief and troubled is our lifetime;
\nthere is no remedy for our dying,
\n nor is anyone known to have come back from Hades.
\n2
\nFor by mere chance were we born,
\nand hereafter we shall be as though we had not been;
\nBecause the breath in our nostrils is smoke,
\nand reason a spark from the beating of our hearts,
\n3
\nAnd when this is quenched, our body will be ashes
\nand our spirit will be poured abroad like empty air.
\n4
\nEven our name will be forgotten in time,
\nand no one will recall our deeds.
\nSo our life will pass away like the traces of a cloud,
\nand will be dispersed like a mist
\nPursued by the sun\u2019s rays and overpowered by its heat.
\n5
\nFor our lifetime is the passing of a shadow;
\nand our dying cannot be deferred
\nbecause it is fixed with a seal; and no one returns.
\n6
\nCome, therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are here,
\nand make use of creation with youthful zest.
\n7
\nLet us have our fill of costly wine and perfumes,
\nand let no springtime blossom pass us by;
\n8
\nlet us crown ourselves with rosebuds before they wither.
\n9
\nLet no meadow be free from our wantonness;
\neverywhere let us leave tokens of our merriment,
\nfor this is our portion, and this our lot.<\/p>\n
\nand no torment shall touch them.
\n2 They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
\nand their passing away was thought an affliction
\n3 and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
\nBut they are in peace.
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
\n7 In the time of their judgment* they shall shine
\nand dart about as sparks through stubble;
\n8 They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
\nand the LORD shall be their King forever.
\n9 Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
\nand the faithful shall abide with him in love:
\nBecause grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
\nand his care is with the elect.
\n10 But the wicked shall receive a punishment to match their thoughts,
\nsince they neglected righteousness and forsook the LORD.
\n11 For those who despise wisdom and instruction are doomed.
\nVain is their hope, fruitless their labors,
\nand worthless their works.
\n12Their wives are foolish and their children wicked,
\naccursed their brood.j<\/p>\nDoes Death Prove Nihilism?<\/h4>\n