Just to warn you, this is an essay i wrote for school. it's over-formal and crusty, but if you put up with that and actually read it, it's kinda interesting.

 



	Hedonism and Nihilism: The Philosophy You Never Knew You Followed

   Hedonism and Nihilism are two incredibly interesting philosophies, especially
when studied in contrast to each other.  Although by the simplest definitions they are
opposites, they actually have a lot in common.  In fact, it’s entirely possible for one to
occur as a result of the other.  Both are very common in modern Western society,
although for the most part extreme Hedonists or Nihilists are almost unheard of.  Even
thought we don’t normally pay attention to it, we all have Nihilistic and Hedonistic
tendencies at various times throughout our lives. 
	Nihilism is the belief that nothing we do, own, or believe is of any value.  It is the
belief that we are worthless and that life has no purpose.  It comes across as a very dark,
empty way of life, yet we all embrace it in small ways.  For example, someone may deem
voting worthless, arguing that their political choices won’t affect anything.  This, on a
small scale, is Nihilism. 
	Like Nihilism, Hedonism also rejects the values of our society.  Hedonism,
however, is the belief that only pleasure is valuable.  Hedonism can also be found in
everyday society.  Doing things “just for the heck of it” and splurging are classic
examples of Hedonism in our society, and neither is particularly uncommon.  Hedonism
may seem selfish, but it is actually just the result of a system based more on fact and less
on beliefs.  There is no proof of god, or life after death, but pleasure is a hands-on reality,
not just a belief, so Hedonists embrace it. 
	Although the dark, empty image of Nihilism and the happy, “do what feels good”
image of Hedonism appear to be almost opposite, they really have a lot in common.  It
may be hard to believe, but Nihilism can actually lead to Hedonism.  Some Nihilists may
be able to accept the fact that life has no purpose whatsoever, but many aren’t satisfied
with the concept.  Because they find no value in their environment, they become valuable
to themselves, and this belief manifests itself in pleasure.  It could be said that a Hedonist
is just an optimistic Nihilist.  I once read a quote from a Zen monk: “Life is meaningless,
and it’s meaningless that life is meaningless. This means that life can mean whatever you
want it to.”  The first part of this quote is quite Nihilistic, and the second progresses one
step further to Hedonism.  Often if our actions can be blamed on one, they can be blamed
on the other as well.  A good example of this is skipping school to go shoot pool.  In this
case school, a major value in our society, is rejected.  Instead the pool hall, a.k.a.
pleasure, becomes priority.
	On the other hand it is important to realize that Nihilism and Hedonism are not
bad beliefs.  Although not guaranteed to be constructive, they won’t necessarily lead
people to misbehave, either.  As an Atheist I can personally identify with both beliefs.  In
becoming Atheist I began to reject many of the major values I had grown up with,
including a pre-fabricated “meaning of life”.  I then began adopting beliefs that felt right
to me, and presently many of the things I do are simply “because I want to” This does not
mean I do whatever I want, it simply means for the most part I do what I enjoy.  I think
that although Nihilism may cause a lack of motivation, as long as they are not abused or
misinterpreted, both Hedonism and Nihilism are good, reasonable beliefs.  I also think
both are firmly embedded in our society and will be for a long time. 
	Nihilism and Hedonism are abundant in Western society.  They are found in small
amounts in the reasons for things we do, or don’t do, everyday.  Even though they appear
to be opposites, they are also commonly found together.  I personally agree with both
beliefs to some extent, and believe that they are an integral part of the values of modern
society.  Although we don’t generally pay attention to them, they play a critical role in
the motivations of our daily life. 
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