That would be existentialism because you're assigning meaning.
Stoicism "Life is meaningless, I will continue to walk this path knowing it will lead to nowhere because I choose to. I will find peace in its meaninglessness"
Existentialism "Life is meaningless, I will continue to walk this path knowing it will lead to nowhere because I choose to. My journey gives me meaning because I say it does."
Nihilism "Life is meaningless, therefore nothing matters. I do not matter, life is indifferent, all fades to nothingness eventually"
Stoicism is acknowledging existence means nothing and creating peace by remaining true to one's own principles.
Absurdism is acknowledging existence means nothing. Then simply accepting and embracing the fact it means nothing. Yet there is no peace, as it's absurd.
• Absurdism: Life has no inherent meaning, and the best response is to embrace the absurd and live fully without needing answers.
• Existentialism: Life has no inherent meaning, but individuals are free and responsible for creating their own purpose.
• Stoicism: The universe is rational and ordered, so the best way to live is to accept what happens and focus on living virtuously.
Absurdism best fits the scenario of choosing to live despite meaninglessness, as it directly addresses embracing the lack of inherent meaning while still living fully and authentically.
I think you're ascribing additional requirements to being a nihilist here. Though I don't suppose there is a singular agreed upon definition, I tend to believe all that is required is the first part: "Life is meaningless." The response to that doesn't change the nihilism.
Nihilism is, nothing matters, and that there’s no meaning to anything, full stop. So if there is anything added after that fact, it becomes a different perspective or philosophical ideology.
They're essentially all subsets of nihilism but, this sort of stuff is where philosophy dives inside it's own ass in order to try to maintain academic relevance and stops having practical applications on thought.
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u/yawdorka 15d ago
stoicism can be the practical conclusion to nihilism. I don't see them as incompatible