Nihilism

Nihilism is a philosophy centering on the denial of meaning. The word is derived from the Latin nihil, which means nothing or that which does not exist. The verb annihilate is linked to the Latin root and implies destroying or bringing to a state of nothingness. Nihilists believe that nothing has meaning or value. This includes the concept that nothing a person does or creates bears any meaning or value. Truth, value, and meaning are all negated in nihilist philosophy. Where meaning means what something is, as well as connecting to purpose and intention, abnegating meaning disconnects one to a concept of reality or purpose. Nihilism is generally considered to be a negative or pessimistic view of life. Nihilists may argue that this is not the case and do not necessarily perceive their worldview as being melancholy.

Brief History

History of Nihilism. Nihilism was arguably first introduced in the Ivan Turgenev novel Fathers and Sons. Turgenev, a Russian author, published his work in 1862. Although the concept of nihilism can be traced to earlier times, the novel seemed to spur a growth in nihilism as a philosophical framework. Turgenev gave the main character in the book an opportunity to answer a question that he had been asked regarding what a nihilist is. The reply given is that a nihilist is a person who neither bows to authority nor takes any principle on faith, irrespective of whether that principle is enshrined in a form of reverence.

Following Turgenev's espousal of nihilism, other authors followed suit. As a result of the proliferation of writing on the topic, the concept of nihilism expanded to embody views pertinent to the writer philosopher. The meaning of nihilism went through different formations depending on who was expressing the ideas. Moreover, this led to a number of different types or classifications of nihilism. Although the main tenets of nihilism remain the same, especially as they pertain to the lack or denial of meaning in a worldview, other characteristics vary.

Friedrich Nietzsche and Nihilism. Many scholars have also credited Friedrich Nietzsche with playing a role in the development of the concept of nihilism in the nineteenth century. His candid statement that "God is dead" was expressed in 1882. Whether Nietzsche himself was a nihilist is controversial, with some researchers commenting that Nietzsche was writing about nihilism, rather than being a nihilist, while mostly Nietzsche and nihilism are placed together. His 1887 treatise discusses what nihilism means. According to Nietzsche, the highest values devaluate themselves, no aim is present, and there is no answer to the question "why." In The Will to Power, Nietzsche wrote that nihilism is the radical repudiation of value, meaning, and desirability. He also predicted the advent of nihilism in the following centuries. Nietzsche appears to have been most concerned with an existential perspective of nihilism.

Overview

Nihilism, Meaning, and Objective Reality. The philosophical view of nihilism is that there is no meaning to anything, including human life. In addition, nihilists believe that no objective meaning exists in the world. Human life, therefore, also has no purpose. This is contrary to what is generally felt to be the compass with which most people use to navigate life's journey. There is no such thing as objective morality, according to the nihilist perspective.

Political Nihilism. In Fathers and Sons, Turgenev's description of nihilism may be considered within a form of political nihilism. In this context, the nihilist rejects the political leaders, politics, and political institutions of the time.

In his 1988 book on nihilism, The Specter of the Absurd, Donald A. Crosby presented four types of nihilism, including: moral nihilism, epistemological nihilism, cosmic nihilism, and existential nihilism. He described moral nihilism as the denial of a sense of moral obligation or moral viewpoint. There is no objectivity of moral principles, according to this perspective. Epistemological nihilism negates the possibility of truth or meaning relating to certain parameters. Crosby defined cosmic nihilism as the disavowal of intelligibility or value in nature. His view has been one of nature being indifferent, at times even hostile, to the fundamental concerns of human beings. Existential nihilism is put forward as the complete negation of any meaning in life or of life itself. The three types of nihilism that deny meaning for aspects of life that traditionally accrue meaning are the moral, epistemological, and cosmic nihilism categories.

Existential Nihilism. As existential nihilism is the denial of meaning in life, this forms a basis of the other three nihilism categories pertaining to moral, epistemological, and cosmic viewpoints. When there is no meaning in life, there cannot, therefore, be meaning in morality, truth, or value. An existential nihilist will not see any hope in the world or in life because there is no sense to life. The perceived indifference surrounding the person, both in terms of their own negated sense of meaning or purpose as well as the view that the environment is likewise indifferent, will, in all probability, lead to the notion of life being a waste of time and absurd. This may exacerbate feelings of depression, in the form of hopelessness and despair. Nietzsche dealt with these concerns as they face modern humans in the quest to affirm or deny life.

Antifoundationalism and Nihilism. Antifoundationalism is a postmodern precept functioning as an acceptance of a nihilist approach. Antifoundationalists positively concur with meaninglessness and embrace it wholeheartedly.

In the twenty-first century, nihilism has been discussed as an interesting concept juxtaposing the exceptional technical advances that have taken place versus questions about the meaningfulness or meaninglessness of the current world. From popular literature to films overtly referencing nihilism, to a generation asking if there is a point to anything, nihilism as a philosophical pondering has still raised a debate.

Bibliography

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