Part 2
The belief in a lack of belief is paradoxical. It seems a true nihilist wouldn’t say one with other beliefs is wrong. They will speak of nihilism in a way that conveys the message, “the only truth is that truth doesn’t exist”, but they must admit that that truth must not exist either then.
So what does it mean pragmatically to believe the there are no truths. It doesn’t mean we believe nothing but the “truth of no truths”, we live in the world and speak of things without qualify every statement with, “but maybe not”. Me: “I called you yesterday”, you: “did you really, I didn’t get any calls”, me: “yes, I’m certain”. I don’t shy away from that type of speech.
So my faith in nihilism isn’t a simply position I hold and wish to hold onto. Doesn’t a Christian try to hold onto their faith? Why must they try to hold on to it, why not let it come and go as it pleases? Well they are told to hold on to it, but I believe that it’s deeper than that, once one has faith they naturally wish to further it. It seems this is axiomatic, have you ever heard of someone with faith, who says they are trying to get rid of it.
The following statement will show how loosely I’m using the term faith. We either believe something or we are indecisive about it. One may not know if they should take a new job, there is no reason that they should ever come to a decision in the form of saying in their head, “yes, I’ve decided to take it.” They can remain perpetually indecisive, but if they do make that statement in their mind they wish to keep it, any further discussions they have, despite themselves, about the pros and cons of taking that job will include as a pro that they decided to take it in their mind already. The real decision is really only made after they accept the new job and give notice to their old.
So in a certain sense I’m equating decisions or “beliefs that one declares to them self” to faith. I used to be the most indecisive person there was, if I had to decide between going left or right I turned into a spinning top. I’m no longer indecisive, not because I make decisions quickly and then stay with them, but because I don’t ever make direct decisions. I may tell myself that the weather is good enough to go to the store later today, but I won’t, even in my own mind, further that by a declaration of intent.
I have rejected most previously declared beliefs that I made when younger, such as who I want to be what I want to do, and didn’t replace most of those beliefs. But I have many remaining beliefs that are more intuitive. For example, I know that the English language can be as flexible as I want as long as it is coherent, but I still use it within a certain degree of traditional standards. What about the belief in happiness? I used to have a strong belief that happiness was purpose and happiness was simply luxurious living. I’m now very torn between the idea of happiness being luxurious living and happiness being mostly in creative work. But, I don’t want to believe in the idea of happiness or misery at all.
I have only two beliefs besides that of nihilism which I have declared, which I feel intuitively, which I have faith in, and which I don’t wish to ever change. Those beliefs are firstly, that I should continue to live basically no matter what (the exceptions being if my life is so intolerable it was as if I was burning alive, but I mean that in the most literal sense) and secondly, I believe in the two family members that I care about (perhaps coincidentally the only family that cares about me).
But, make no mistake I have no belief in anyone else that I wish to perpetuate. I have a friend or two I’d like to think I might sacrifice a little for if the situation arises, even if I manage to reject my belief in them entirely. You see, I have no wish to stand out; I have no wish to break any rules, written or implied. I have two friends that social custom dictates that I help to a certain extent if needed. That’s fine, I’ll do it, but I won’t believe in it. I have an idea that a true nihilist is the person who fits the description of the ridiculously ambiguously defined “average moral” person. To do significant harm or significant good requires that you believe in something. But, maybe I’m just referring to myself.