What is your philosophy? If you have one.

I'm an existentialist but I'm also a humanist (and no, existentialism is not necessarily humanistic).

I am sure most of you know what existentialism is, but to those who don't it just means I think life has no extrinsic meaning, but I can still give meaning to my life.

Nihilism is different because it simply rejects meaning and purpose entirely.

Edited 10/8/2018 04:54:38

Does Pressimism count?

Pressimism

The tendency to paint popular culture in a bad light just to have something to write about; to highlight the most outlandish examples of the downside that you can scrape together on any subject in hopes of attracting attention. Often found in online journalism.
I keep trying to get my friends to play Pokemon Go, but they're all convinced we'll fall off cliffs if they do. Pressimism, man.

Yes, it counts.

Flat Earth philosophy

could you explain to me how existentialism is not necessarily humanistic?

The tendency to paint popular culture in a bad light just to have something to write about; to highlight the most outlandish examples of the downside that you can scrape together on any subject in hopes of attracting attention. Often found in online journalism.

Thats not pessimism, but okay.

Phenomenology

"Thats not pessimism, but okay."

No one on this thread said anything about pessimism.

"could you explain to me how existentialism is not necessarily humanistic?"

Humanism is about promoting human welfare, and you can be an immoral existentialist who does harm to others.

humanism is not about promoting welfare. Its the doctrine that the human is the basic entity, to which things compare, and from which there should thought from

i think humanism is kinda open to interpretation

here is the definition i found: an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.

What you believe is valuable for humans, or what you determine as "goodness of human beings" seems very open ended.

I will say that you are right, because I was only using one less meaningful definition of humanism, instead of its philosophical meaning. What would you call an existentialist who strongly supports human welfare? I looked a bit into many definitions.

This one below does not say what I said, but is very existentialist as it promotes individuality and critical thinking.

"Humanism is a philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers critical thinking and evidence (rationalism and empiricism) over acceptance of dogma or superstition."

This definition for humanist says exactly what I said.

"humanist. a person having a strong interest in or concern for human welfare, values, and dignity. a person devoted to or versed in the humanities. ... (sometimes initial capital letter) a person who follows a form of philosophical or scientific humanism."

This definition is also very existentialist as it attaches prime important to humans instead of the supernatural/divine.

"an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems."

Either way I am a humanist, because I agree to all 3 of these. :)

Edited 10/8/2018 13:39:07

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Edited 10/8/2018 13:45:02

I believe in optimistic nihilism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBRqu0YOH14

McCarthyism.

My contention with positive nihilism is that it doesn't seem to concern itself with human welfare. I believe that people should try to do good for others if possible, for the betterment of our entire species. I believe in a specifically philanthropic approach to existentialism (the belief that humans have no extrinsic purpose), where people try to help each other, and learn to put others before themselves at times.

Life would be a better experience for everyone if humans learned how to do that. However I'm aware that some would try to take advantage of such a system so it's not the "end all be all" of my beliefs. :/

Selfishness is a defect that people should learn how to overcome, similar to laziness. Nothing good really comes out of selfishness, but a whole lot of bad does.

Edited 10/8/2018 17:07:58

I think life has no extrinsic meaning

I believe that people should try to do good for others if possible, for the betterment of our entire species.

Oh, you rationalists!

@Shadow Alchemist: So you're an existential nihilist.

As I read more and more philosophical works, I find myself aligning with Nietzsche, in regard to stimulants, but I also like the concept behind virtue ethics.

No one on this thread said anything about pessimism.

I may or may not have misread pressimism for pessimism. WHoopie.

Don't worry Cata I forgive you.

My philosophy is that all philosophy is BS