Why are we such slaves to our brains though? It's your brain that is desperately trying to find meaning in life when there very well might not be one. I guess we're slaves to all of our needs though- hunger, thirst, sexuality (for those who have sex drives), a need to feel entertained, a thirst for knowledge and understanding. Whatever.
We can surpress some of these needs more than others. Ultimately though, with enough conviction, we're able to supress all of them. We even have the ability to go against all instincts and social expectations and kill ourselves. Kind of impressive really. I'd say, as a species we've bypassed a lot of natural laws. Natural selection we tend to view as eugenics and consider it distasteful. We extend our lifetimes way beyond what is natural. We use IVF when people can't conceive naturally. Some of us manage to end our lives when we like.
In so many ways, we've learnt how not to be slaves to our anatomy and brains. Yet, in a way, this obsession with needing to know the meaning behind everything is maybe being driven by our brain's desire for knowledge. I guess it would be ok if we were any closer to knowing the meaning behind life but- are we? Do philosophers now know anymore than those in ancient times?
It's like- I do understand the frustration and strangeness of it all. It all baffles me too. The big questions: Is there a reason we're here? Was there a creator or a plan? What are we supposed to be doing here? WTF is consciousness? But I suppose ultimately, I'm not sure me thinking about these questions over and over, getting frustrated is getting me anywhere.
I guess the majority of people just don't have enough time to think about this stuff. They're too busy working or recovering from work. Plus, people realise that it makes them miserable I suppose so, they try not to dwell on it.
If someone isn't considering suicide or, they know they wouldn't be able to carry it out, I think they will sometimes just try to get through life as best they can. Which can include things like trying to avoid rabbit holes of nihilistic despair.
I guess my stance is that I sympathise with the nihilistic perspective but ultimately, I don't want to become destitute. So- I have to play the game. I have to work. I have to try and keep my mind together as much as possible to do that. I get the impression most of the ardent nihilists here are taken care of financially. I remember reading that philosophers had to be apart from society in order to be able to see it clearly and comment on it. Sometimes I wonder if that's true of nihilists. How many can stand working or doing anything really? Seeing as it must all seem so pointless. I do get it but I think it makes life a lot harder.
