Hugur - 01.01.2013, Page 55

Skapandi sjálfsgleymi 
Abstract
Creative Self-forgetting: On Daoism and Nihilism
Oe rise of modern science in the Western world produced not only a number
of social and technical improvements but also a view of the world as a godless
mechanism and thus of human life as devoid of ultimate metaphysical meaning.
Some modern Western philosophers worried that this rational scientific view of
the world, which presupposes ‘metaphysical nihilism,’ or the view that there are no
metaphysically grounded values, would also lead to an existential kind of nihilism
that rejects human life, action, morality and social values in general as essentially
meaningless. Oeir attempts at preserving the former condition while preventing
the emergence of the latter, however, have been criticized as being founded on
questionable metaphysical and even religious grounds, and thus for being incon-
sistent with the modern scientific outlook. Some contemporary thinkers, most
notably Richard Dawkins, argue that the simple fact of being engaged in the
activity of seeking scientific truth is perfectly sufficient for establishing meaning
in life, and that religious and metaphysical foundations are entirely unnecessary.
Dawkins’ argument, however, is generally not regarded as particularly convincing,
largely because the ‘truths’ of modern science fail to provide anything resembling
existential meaning. Apparently, Western culture seems to suffer from some kind
of metaphysical yearning in its post-metaphysical scientific world. Ois paper
seeks an inspiration for a solution in early Daoist philosophical writings, most
notably the Laozi and the Zhuangzi, and their call for creative self-forgetting
and constantly active interpretation. Oeir treatment of topics such as human life,
death and activity uncovers an intriguing worldview consistent with ‘metaphysi-
cal nihilism’ and yet inherently meaningful and life-affirming, while at the same
time devoid of metaphysical foundations.
Hugur 2013-4.indd 55 23/01/2014 12:57:25