[MD] Nihilism

[MarshaV]

Re: [MD] tiny skull... change... nothingness...
At 08:41 PM 11/13/2006, you wrote to Chin:

>I think Quality is a weak substitute for Essence, but I also I don't think
>either term signifies Nothingness.  What I can't understand is why you,
>Case, and a few others here insist that Nothingness is the ultimate reality,
>yet claim that you are not nihilists.  Perhaps you can explain this to me.

Hi Ham,

This, to me, is an interesting subject.  I have read both RMP and the 
Dalai Lama reject nihilism.  I have called myself a happy nihilist, 
but I am really confused regarding this term.  Is the rejection a 
rejection of nihilism, or the depression that is so often associated 
with the word.  My dictionary defines it in the philosophical sense 
as: _extreme skepticism, esp. with regard to value statements or 
moral judgements._   But this word also seems to carry a whole lot of 
negative connotation.  Should it?  Does 'nothingness' or 
_understanding that absolute truth is beyond human knowledge_ still 
deserve such a negative connotation?  I think some acceptance is in order.

I have admitted confusion.  Maybe you would set this topic up 
differently.  Please do.

Marsha