Final answer:
The question explores the philosophical view of life's meaning and nothingness, drawing on Nietzsche's existential crisis and the cosmological argument. It delves into the anxiety surrounding the perceived annihilation of meaning without universal truths and touches on biological extinction as a metaphor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The contemplation of life's meaning and the possibility of nothingness after death has been a central theme in philosophy. Friedrich Nietzsche's assertion that "God is dead" embodies the crisis of existentialism, where the search for absolute truths and meaning falls into the abyss of subjective interpretation. Fear and anxiety about a world devoid of universal meaning challenge traditional notions of morality and purpose, as without divine or absolute ethical mandates, there is a perceived threat of annihilation of meaning, leading to existential dread.
Moreover, alternative ideas challenge the cosmological argument for the existence of God, which states that nothing can come from nothing, suggesting the necessity of a creator. Eastern and Western philosophies offer diverse perspectives on the nature of existence and the universe, further complicating the search for a universally accepted purpose of life. The concept of extinction events in biology, where a species ceases to exist entirely, also echoes this theme of finality and the absence of an enduring legacy.