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The Difference between Nihilism and Fatalism

July 28, 2019

Philosophy

fatalism, life, meaning, nihilism, philosophy, thought

For some of you, the point of the title might be absurd. “The difference between nihilism and fatalism?” you might ask with incredulity. “Why, these two are the exact opposite of each other!”

But I’ve learned the lesson well: Never assume anything. This is especially the case when it comes to other people’s ideas. For a long time I naively assumed that if I could see the truth of something, others would too. But, apparently, self-delusion is what many people prefer.

In actual fact, most people to whom I’ve talked about nihilism seem to confuse it either with fatalism or depression. Let’s get this latter part out of the way: depression is, according to the American Psychiatric Association, “a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.”

difference between nihilism and fatalism
The difference between nihilism and fatalism is chaotic. The two are basically the exact opposite of each other.

Depression is an illness. Nihilism and fatalism are philosophical viewpoints.

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How Euphemisms Work: Thoughts on…Thought Control

April 26, 2019

Society

control, euphemisms, idiocy, language, society, thought

A quick definition of a euphemism is “a phrase or word used as an ameliorating substitute for an unpleasant or offensive word”. Some people might say “senior citizens” instead of “old people” (or, heaven forbid, “old farts”). But how euphemisms work is a more complex issue, with elaborate psychological underpinnings.

“Euphemism” is a Greek word, literally meaning “good speech”. It was used in the Koine Greek (also known as Alexandrian Dialect, roughly between 300 BCE – 300 CE). Its modern meaning came much later.

Euphemisms can be very obvious, as in the senior-citizen example above. But they can also be extremely subtle, which is what makes them interesting. So, let’s take a look at how euphemisms work. But before that, a funny story about euphemisms. It involves mice. Lots of them.

how euphemisms work
Cute mice, aren’t they? Except if you don’t like mice. Then they’re not mice. They’re…
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