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Nihilism

2007-05-28T10:34:26Z

EmmaGoldman:

'''Nihilism''' is the belief in nothing. A true nihilist would have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy everything of value in society. [[Friedrich Nietzsche]] argued that nihilism's corrosive effects would eventually destroy all moral, religious, and metaphysical convictions; cause the collapse of meaning, relevance, purpose, and precipitate the greatest crisis in human history.<ref>http://www.iep.utm.edu/n/nihilism.htm</ref> German political philosopher [[Leo Strauss]] argued that modern [[liberal]]ism has a tendency towards nihilism. And because of this view, some philosophers (as far back as [[Plato]]) have argued that political leaders should invent elaborate myths in order to unite citizens of modern liberal democratic society behind a common purpose. Leo Strauss also noted that [[religion]] can function as a glue that binds society together.

Major types of nihilism include:
*'''epistemological nihilism''' which denies the possibility of knowledge and truth; this form of nihilism is identified with [[postmodernism]].

*'''Political Nihilism''' is the belief that the destruction of all existing political, social, and religious order is a prerequisite for any future improvement; this form of nihilism is identified with [[anarchism]].

*'''Moral nihilism''' rejects all moral or ethical values; this form of nihilism is identified with [[moral relativity|moral relativism]].

*'''Existential nihilism''' is the notion that life has no meaning or purpose.<ref>http://www.iep.utm.edu/n/nihilism.htm</ref>

*'''Mereological nihilism''' is the view that objects with parts do not exist, it's a human illusion; this view has been identified with some aspects of [[Buddhist philosophy]] and [[Immanuel Kant]]'s [[transcendental idealism]].

In his book, ''The Decline of the West'', German philosopher Oswald Spengler observes that pattern of nihilism was a feature shared by all civilizations on the verge of collapse.

==References==
<references/>

==See Also==
[[The Big Lebowski]]

[http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/hutchison/070307 Liberalism and the two roads to nihilism: how liberalism can collapse into nihilism through materialism or false idealism] by Fred Hutchison, March 7, 2007.

[[category:philosophy]]

Emma Goldman

2007-05-28T10:33:19Z

EmmaGoldman:

[[Image:EmmaGoldman.jpg|right|thumb|Emma Goldman]]
Emma Goldman was an [[anarchy|anarchist]] born in 1869 in [[Lithuania]]. Goldman lectured throughout the [[United States]] advocating wrkers rights, birth control, and women’s rights. She was sent to jail several times and was eventually deported to [[Russia]]. She died in 1940.

A firebrand revolutionary, she nevertheless insisted on her femininity, and is famous for saying "If I can't dance, I don't want to be in your revolution."

Emma Goldman is one of the characters in E. L. Doctorow's novel, ''Ragtime''. The musical ''Ragtime'' was based on Doctorow's novel.

Pussywillow

2007-05-28T10:27:45Z

EmmaGoldman: New page: a pussywillow is a plant

a pussywillow is a plant

Caffeine

2007-05-28T10:26:59Z

EmmaGoldman:

'''Caffeine''' (3,7-dihydro-1,3,8-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6,-dione OR 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine), is the most popular [[drug]] in the world. People consume caffeine in [[coffee]], [[tea]], [[cocoa]], [[chocolate]], [[soft drink]]s, and some drugs. The source of caffeine is either the coffee bean, the tea leaf, the elusive kola nut, or the cacao pod. Pure caffeine is odorless and has a bitter taste.

==Caffeine and your Nervous System==
Caffeine is a central nervous system [[stimulant]]. In moderate doses, caffeine may:
* increase alertness
* reduce fine motor coordination
* cause [[insomnia]]
* cause a [[headache]], nervousness and dizziness

In superbly massive doses, caffeine is lethal. A fatal dose of caffeine has been calculated to be more than 10 grams (about 170 mg/kg body weight) - this would be equivalent to drinking 80 to 100 cups of coffee in rapid succession - a feat only [[Voltaire]] is alleged to have acheieved.

Caffeine enters the bloodstream through the [[stomach]] and [[small intestine]] and can have its effects as soon as 15 minutes after it is consumed. Once in the body, caffeine will stay around for hours: it takes about 6 hours for one half of the caffeine to be eliminated.

Some studies show that caffeine causes physical dependence (addiction). One way to tell if someone "needs" that cup of coffee or bottle of [[Mountain Dew]] is to take it away from them and then see if they have any withdrawal symptoms. Typical withdrawal symptoms associated with caffeine are the headaches, fatigue, and muscle pains. These symptoms can occur within 24 hours after the last dose of caffeine. One study has stated that the minimum consumption of caffeine for physical dependence is 4 cups of coffee per day. Other studies say that a few more cups of coffee are needed to develop dependence.

==Origins of Coffee==

Coffee was discovered around 850 A.D. in upper [[Egypt]] by a goat herder named Khaldi. One night, Khaldi's goats did not return home. When he found his goats, Khaldi saw them dancing around a shrub with red berries (coffee beans). After Khaldi tried some of the berries, he started to dance too. Khaldi spoke with some monks who used the berries to make a drink and coffee was born.

==Modern Consumption==

Caffeine can be found in many drinks, foods, and drugs. Americans consume about 45,000,000 pounds of caffeine each year. In the [[United States]], coffee drinkers drink an average of 2.6 cups per day. Total caffeine intake for coffee drinkers was 363.5 mg per day - this includes caffeine from coffee and other sources like soft drinks, food and drugs. Non-coffee drinkers also consume plenty of caffeine: former coffee drinkers get about 107 mg per day and people who have never had coffee get about 91 mg per day. <ref>Schreiber et al., Measurement of coffee and caffeine intake: Implications for epidemiolgic research, Preventive Medicine, 17:280-294, 1988 and Chou, T., Wake up and smell the coffee. Caffeine, coffee and the medical consequences, West. J. Med., 157:544-553, 1992</ref>

==References==
<references/>

Marijuana

2007-05-28T10:26:11Z

EmmaGoldman: caffeine

'''Marijuana''' is a [[Schedule I]] [[Controlled Substance]] in the United States of America, and it is subject to various degrees of legality in different parts of the world. It comes from the ''Cannabis'' [[plant]].

The main active ingredient in marijuana is [[THC]], or tetrahydrocannabinol, an organic chemical compound.

The effects of marijuana can include short-term memory loss, mild hallucinations, and an impairment of physical and mental functioning. Proponents of marijuana have claimed that it has medicinal benefits although other treatments can also deliver these benefits to various ailments without hallucinations and the impairments to judgment. Some have advocated for decriminalization. <ref>[http://www.leap.cc Law Enforcement Against Prohibition]</ref>. Many people of varying political alignment advocate its legalization. <ref>http://www.lp.org/issues/lp-oss.shtml</ref>

Many [[American]] [[conservative]]s, especially social conservatives, oppose legalization of marijuana in any form, believing any usage of mind-altering substance is immoral and inimical to conservative values (even though many of these people regularly drink [[coffee]], [[tea]], or [[cola]] which contains [[caffeine]] a [[psycho-active]] [[drug]]). However, there are exceptions, such as [[William F. Buckley]] and [[Larry Elder]]. Some [[liberal]]s support legalization, but most instead advocate for drug treatment and rehabilitation. [[Libertarian]]s are usually the staunch supporters of marijuana legalization.

A religious or sacramental use of marijuana is reported in various cultures such as those of the [[Rastafari]] movement or the [[Sadhu]]s of India. Use of marijuana in a religious capacity is legal for members of the Native American Church, however, members must be registered with the Church and government.{{fact}}

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Illegal substances]]

Abbie Hoffman

2007-05-28T10:22:25Z

EmmaGoldman: start page

Abbie Hoffman was a hippie who started the [[Youth International Party]].

User:EmmaGoldman

2007-05-28T10:19:58Z

EmmaGoldman: start page

Hi everyone! This is Emma Goldman's first edit to Conservapedia! I think I will like this a whole lot...