Nihilism: The Philosophy of Nothingness
Exploring Meaning, Existence, and Nothingness
By Ulysses Ybiernas | July 15, 2020
Introduction to Nihilism
Nihilism is a philosophical concept centered on the idea that life may lack inherent meaning, purpose, or value. In essence, it suggests that traditional beliefs, morals, and social structures may be baseless. Nihilism thus is defined as the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. This often-extreme outlook is linked to radical skepticism and pessimism. Indeed, a true nihilist, would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy.
Origins and Historical Background
The term nihilism comes from the Latin word nihil, meaning "nothing". It appears in words like "annihilate" (to reduce to nothing). Friedrich Jacobi first used the term around 1800, and it was popularized after Ivan Turgenev titled his 1862 novel Fathers and Sons, featuring a nihilist character who rejects all conventions.
The idea of nihilistic skepticism goes back to ancient times. Greek Skeptics denied the possibility of certain knowledge, suggesting that any belief might be unfounded. Such radical doubt, that we can never be sure of truth, foreshadows later nihilistic attitudes in philosophy and science.
In the 19th century, nihilism became associated with political and social revolution, especially in Russia. Russian nihilists rejected all established authority (state, church, family) as oppressive. They believed that only by tearing down the old order could something new emerge. This turned nihilism into an active movement: anarchists like Bakunin saw destruction itself as a creative force. Over time, the label "nihilist" even came to mean someone who rejects all moral and social norms.
Branches of Nihilism
Nihilism can take many forms depending on which aspect of life or knowledge it denies. Philosophers often categorize nihilism into:
Existential Nihilism
Existential nihilism is the belief that life has no inherent meaning or value. If the universe itself is purposeless, then all human actions and projects are, in a cosmic sense, meaningless. Existential nihilists feel that despite our hopes and efforts, nothing matters in the grand scheme. The anguish of this outlook is captured in Shakespeare’s famous lines from Macbeth:
Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more; it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
20th-century existentialists like Jean-Paul Sartre described the world as absurd: we seek purpose but the universe gives none. In this climate, existential nihilism became widely discussed, with thinkers questioning whether one could truly find meaning in a meaningless world.
Moral or Ethical Nihilism
Moral or ethical nihilism denies any objective right or wrong. In this view, no action is truly good or evil by itself. Morality is seen as a human invention with no ultimate authority behind it. In this context, ethical nihilism splits into three sub-ideas:
Amoralism: Rejecting all moral principles. Amoralists act as if moral claims simply don’t apply.
Egoism: The belief that individuals should concern themselves only with their own welfare. Altruistic rules are seen as irrelevant.
Moral Subjectivism: Morality is based on personal choice. What’s "right" is whatever an individual or culture decides, not an external fact.
All three reject a universal moral law. In a nihilistic view, one person’s justice could be another’s injustice, since neither has objective grounding.
Epistemological Nihilism
Epistemological nihilism rejects the possibility of true knowledge. It holds that all ideas, theories, and “facts” are ultimately uncertain and possibly meaningless. Epistemological nihilists say we must doubt everything, since our minds are limited. As a consequence, even science or reason offers no final truth. Instead of believing in some solid foundation of knowledge, they embrace persistent doubt and skepticism about what we can know.
Cosmic Nihilism
Cosmic nihilism emphasizes the vast indifference of the universe. Its proponents argue that because the cosmos is unimaginably large and ancient, human life is insignificant. The universe shows no concern for our destiny, reinforcing the idea that nothing we do truly matters. According to this view, things we cherish - love, freedom, happiness, are distractions from the cold truth that “we are all just waiting to die”.
The vast, indifferent cosmos. Cosmic nihilists argue that the enormity of space can make individual human concerns seem insignificant.
Political Nihilism
Political nihilism focuses on the state and institutions. Political nihilists argue that governments, laws, and social institutions are inherently corrupt and oppressive. They advocate tearing down all authority. This idea was influential among certain 19th-century radicals who believed that only by destroying existing power structures could society start anew. Today, a political nihilist might say that any system can be questioned or discarded because none hold absolute legitimacy.
Key Thinkers and Philosophers
Nihilism has been explored by many thinkers. Some are directly associated with nihilistic ideas, while others wrote about its implications:
Friedrich Nietzsche
Nietzsche questioned all established values and saw the collapse of traditional beliefs as inevitable.
Nietzsche is the philosopher most often linked with nihilism. He famously proclaimed that “God is dead,” by which he meant the Christian moral framework was unraveling. He argued that without divine or objective values, all our beliefs become baseless. He saw nihilism as a kind of cultural crisis: “the highest values devalue themselves,” and the world loses its purpose. Nietzsche’s solution was not despair but creative revaluation, we must create our own meanings and values if the old ones die. In this sense, he both diagnosed and challenged the nihilistic condition.
Jean-Paul Sartre
Existential philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre, together with Albert Camus grappled with nihilism by finding ways beyond it. Sartre agreed that life starts as meaningless (“existence precedes essence”), but insisted we give it meaning through freedom and choice.
Albert Camus
Camus described life as absurd, a conflict between our search for purpose and a silent universe, but he suggested the answer is to revolt against this absurdity. Camus’s Myth of Sisyphus famously imagines Sisyphus pushing his boulder in defiance of meaninglessness, finding dignity in the struggle itself.
Martin Heidegger
Other thinkers have studied nihilism’s effects. Martin Heidegger once said nihilism was “the normal state of man” in modernity, meaning we’ve become accustomed to life without clear foundations.
Oswald Spengler
Historian Oswald Spengler saw nihilism as a symptom of civilizational decline.
Helmut Thielicke
On the opposite end, religious critics like Helmut Thielicke warned that if “nothingness prevails,” society would become cold and inhuman. Such critics argue that abandoning shared values can lead to chaos or violence.
Yet Nietzsche and others saw nihilism as an opportunity: with old illusions gone, humanity is free to invent new values.
Nihilism vs Other Philosophies
Nihilism is often contrasted with other worldviews:
Nihilism and Existentialism
Nihilism and existentialism start from similar places but end differently. Both agree that life doesn’t come pre-packaged with meaning. However, nihilism says, “Then life is meaningless, nothing matters,” while existentialism says, “Life has no given meaning, but we have the power to create our own.” As one author explains, nihilists see the universe as a place where “nothing has any importance,” whereas existentialists view it as a blank canvas for personal meaning. In short, nihilism often leads to despair over meaninglessness, while existentialism tries to turn that emptiness into freedom and responsibility.
Absurdism
Absurdism (associated with Camus) is related but distinct. A nihilist might say “nothing matters at all,” whereas an absurdist agrees life is meaningless but still revolts against that fact. Absurdism finds the tension between our search for purpose and the universe’s silence to be the human condition. Instead of sinking into despair, the absurdist (like Camus’s Sisyphus) chooses to live fully in spite of it. So, both philosophies accept the lack of inherent meaning, but nihilism often concludes there is no reason to act, while absurdism concludes that we’ll act anyway in defiance of the void.
Nihilism in Culture and Modern Context
Nihilism has echoed through literature, art, and even popular culture. Dostoyevsky explored it in novels like Notes from Underground, while Richard Strauss and Tim Burton have depicted nihilistic themes in music and film. More recently, nihilism appears in internet culture. For example, a growing number of young people express nihilistic or “doomer” attitudes online. Studies indicate over half of young people today feel humanity is doomed (citing climate collapse, social strife, etc.). Social media echo chambers and information overload may deepen a sense of hopelessness. The so-called “doomer” meme, a tired, disillusioned young man, captures a generation’s mix of anxiety and dark humor about a supposedly meaningless world.
The vast, indifferent cosmos. Cosmic nihilists argue that the enormity of space can make individual human concerns seem insignificant.
Criticisms and Responses to Nihilism
Nihilism has many critics. Religious thinkers decry it as destructive. For instance, Helmut Thielicke warned that if “nothingness prevails,” society becomes “cold, inhuman” and devoid of compassion. Psychologists note that a harsh nihilist viewpoint can lead to despair or apathy. In extreme cases, believing nothing matters might pave the way for extremist ideologies, since if no value is sacred, one might justify anything.
On the other hand, others argue confronting nihilism can be liberating. Existentialists believed that by accepting the absence of objective meaning, individuals gain the freedom to create their own. Some modern thinkers even talk of “climbing out of nihilism” by focusing on positive possibilities. For example, Michael Novak noted that emphasizing freedom, creativity, and human connection can guide people toward a new sense of purpose even after facing meaninglessness. In practice, many cope with nihilistic feelings by building personal meaning: dedicating themselves to art, nature, community or loved ones. Even if life is “absurd” on a cosmic scale, people often find small-scale purpose and joy through creativity, relationships, and personal projects.
Conclusion
Nihilism challenges us to consider that life might lack grand purpose. It forces us to strip away assumptions and ask, “If nothing is guaranteed, what matters?” Although the idea can be unsettling or even frightening, it is also a catalyst for deep reflection. Philosophers have long debated whether nihilism inevitably leads to despair, or whether it can spark new meaning-making. In the end, nihilism’s legacy is mixed: a warning about lost values, but also an invitation to build our own. By understanding nihilism, we become better equipped to either restore meaning or responsibly accept its absence in our lives. Nihilism may have emerged as a symbol of void, yet the conversation it provokes continues to influence philosophy, art, and even current culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does nihilism mean?
Nihilism is the belief that life has no inherent meaning or value. It often implies that traditional beliefs (moral, religious, or political) are unfounded and arbitrary. In simple terms, a nihilist might say “nothing really matters,” viewing the world as lacking any ultimate purpose.
2. Is nihilism the same as pessimism?
They are related but not identical. Pessimism is a general attitude expecting negative outcomes. Nihilism specifically claims there is no objective meaning to life. A person can be pessimistic (expecting bad things) without being nihilistic. Conversely, a nihilist might accept that life is meaningless but still choose to find joy or value in daily experiences.
3. Who are famous nihilists?
No major philosopher openly called themselves a pure nihilist. However, Friedrich Nietzsche is often linked to nihilism (he declared “God is dead” and explored the crisis of values). Russian revolutionaries of the 19th century adopted forms of political nihilism. In culture, characters in Dostoyevsky’s Demons or even the movie The Big Lebowski (featuring a band of pseudo-nihilists) illustrate nihilistic attitudes in fiction.
4. Can nihilism be positive in any way?
Although it sounds negative, some see a positive side. By rejecting imposed meanings, nihilism can free individuals to create their own purpose. Nietzsche saw the “death” of old values as a challenge and an opportunity for revaluating life. Existentialist thinkers built on this idea, using the “nothingness” of nihilism as a blank slate to forge authentic values. In that sense, realizing there is no given meaning can empower a person to pursue what they truly care about, even if that realization also feels unsettling.
5. How do people overcome nihilistic feelings?
Many overcome nihilism by building personal meaning. Existentialists argue that we “make” our own meaning through our choices. Others focus on relationships, art, nature, or causes to create purpose. Engaging in creative work, helping others, or pursuing passions can give life meaning even if one believes there is no cosmic purpose. As one study suggests, focusing on positive possibilities, such as freedom, creativity, and community, can help people “climb out of nihilism”.