Danielle Hodgson3/2/2014PHIL-1030-002A world without sacred and shining moments Living in a world without sacred and shining moments is like breathing air without oxygen. These are the moments that fill us with hope and give meaning to our lives. In a modern sense, the world we once knew is now boring, without meaning or purpose. This idea is often considered nihilism, the belief that “nothing really matters.” It is the absence of a solid foundation or belief system that guides our decisions. The authors of All Things Shining indicate that they dislike the idea of ​​nihilism and believe that acts of heroism are the only sacred and shining moments left in our secular age. The authors further suggest that their goals are to replace this complete lack of hope with a new reason and abandon all despair, which will encourage others to pursue meaningful lives. In this world there are heroes and pretenders. There are those who act quickly, but are not considered heroic. While there are those who are naturally drawn to the world and are often referred to as heroes. These pretenders or pseudo-heroes tend to impose their will on the world. An example used by the authors is Charles Foster Kane, a character from the well-established film Citizen Kane. Kane is a self-righteous man whose only ambition is for the entire world to fall on its knees before him. Ultimately, his thirst for power and revenge will lead to his demise when his own world is lost in a sea of ​​chaos and tumult. His last words, “Rosebud,” turn out to be the only connection to the life he lived that actually makes sense (p. 4). The authors reveal examples in the text of those they consider heroes in modern times. Some examples are in the middle of a sheet of paper and we should appreciate whatever those strengths are. However, the authors do not want to engage entirely in the worship of divine beings. Instead, they wish to experience the world, all its splendor and wonder, but remain detached from Homer's metaphysical perspective. In conclusion, the authors believe that nihilism, or lack of soundness in decision-making, is endemic in modern times. They believe that humans must strive for something outside of themselves to truly enjoy life. In Homer's time, the Greeks strove to be in tune with the Gods. The authors believe that this religion has largely prevented nihilism in this population, but it is important to note that they do not name the specific religion itself. Instead, they emphasize external efforts. Anyway, the moral of this story is to believe in something rather than nothing at all..