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About this quote

What does it mean?
If nothing matters from an eternal view, irony is a better stance than despair.
In plain terms
If nothing matters, treat life with irony instead of sadness.
What can you take from it?
Irony helps cope with the absurdity of existence.

Where it applies

  • philosophy
  • dealing with crisis

Putting it to work

  • adopt irony
  • re-evaluate values

Questions to consider

  • Does irony protect against meaninglessness?

Another view

Some may find irony insufficient to overcome despair.

More from Thomas Nagel

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