Into the Absurd Episode #32: Bryce Blankenship, M.A. (The Absurdity of Existence)
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Jun 1, 2021 
Bryce Blankenship, a philosophy instructor at the University of Idaho, dives deep into existentialism and Nietzsche's ideas about life's absurdity. He challenges listeners to grapple with the delicate balance between determinism and personal choice, emphasizing our power to create meaning in a chaotic world. The conversation takes intriguing turns, exploring how time and identity intertwine, the randomness of health risks, and the complexities of faith amidst suffering. Bryce urges us to embrace life's uncertainties while cultivating a resilient sense of self.
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Nietzsche on Creating Reality
- Nietzsche critiques the belief in a fixed world of truth as limiting creativity and change.
- He encourages creating the world we desire rather than accepting imposed realities.
Absurdity and Meaning Within
- Existence is inherently absurd according to existentialists like Nietzsche and Sartre.
- Meaning comes from within and through our choices, not from external or divine sources.
Freedom Brings Responsibility
- Without determinism, we bear full responsibility for our existence.
- This freedom can be terrifying but allows greater ownership of one's life.
