PHILOSOPHY
Nihilism in the Modern World: Why and How to Live a Nihilist Lifestyle
If you’re looking for a different perspective on life, Nihilism might be worth exploring.
“Why do we argue? Life’s so fragile, a successful virus clinging to a speck of mud, suspended in endless nothing.” — Alan Moore
Nihilism believes that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. This philosophy begins with the assumption that all human knowledge is false.
Nihilism is a philosophical idea where there are no objective moral values. Nihilism means rejecting objective truth, moral values, and meaning in life. It is the belief that nothing has any inherent meaning or purpose.
Nihilists do not believe in God and think life is meaningless. They also think that humans are animals and that we cannot know anything. Nihilism is a very radical philosophy, and most people disagree with it.
How to Live Your Life as a Nihilist
Nihilism is not a belief system. It’s an observation of the world. It’s the idea that life has no intrinsic meaning, purpose, or value.
The world is nothing more than a collection of matter in motion, and all meaning that we assign to it is an illusion.
Nihilists don’t believe in any religion or spiritual path because they don’t think anything exists other than natural phenomena like atoms and molecules. They don’t believe in the afterlife either because they think death is the end of consciousness and personal identity.
Nihilists are usually atheists because they don’t believe in God or gods. So there’s nothing divine about human life either.
Nihilists think life is meaningless, but that doesn’t mean they think it’s not worth living. Many nihilists enjoy their lives and find ways to create meaning.
Some people live as nihilists by trying to experience as much as possible. They believe that since life has no inherent meaning, it’s up to each individual to create their purpose. This can be done through travel, relationships, art, work, or any other activity that brings joy and satisfaction.
Other nihilists might focus on helping others because they believe everyone should have the opportunity to create meaning in life. Some volunteer for charities or become involved in social justice causes.
There is no one right way to live as a nihilist. The important thing is that you find a way to create meaning in your life that works for you.
Nihilism is not a new philosophy. It’s been around for centuries, and it’s been influential in art, literature, and popular culture.
Some of the most famous nihilists include the Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky, the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, and the French existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre.
Dostoevsky’s novel Crime and Punishment is about a man who realizes that there is no God or morality, so he murders an innocent woman. The book explores the psychological consequences of Nihilism.
Nietzsche is one of the most well-known nihilists. He was a philosopher who believed that morality was a human invention and that life was meaningless. He also thought that we should not try to find meaning in life but instead create our values and live according to them.
Sartre was an existentialist philosopher who believed that humans are responsible for creating their meaning in life. He wrote about the human condition and the Absurd, which is the idea that the universe is indifferent to human beings and our individual lives have no inherent purpose.
Nihilism has been used as a literary device in many works of fiction. It’s often used to create a sense of despair or hopelessness.
For example, the novel One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is about a man imprisoned in a Soviet labor camp. The book portrays the nihilistic view that life is meaningless and that human beings struggle to survive.
Nihilism is also a common theme in post-apocalyptic fiction. In these stories, the world has ended, and humanity is struggling to rebuild civilization. The characters often have to confront the meaninglessness of their lives and the futility of their efforts.
The movie Fight Club is an example of a film that explores Nihilism. The main character, played by Brad Pitt, believes that society is meaningless and material possessions are worthless. He starts a secret society where men can fight and release their aggression.
Nihilism is a philosophy with a long history and complex ideas. It’s often misunderstood, but it can be a helpful way of thinking about the world. If you’re looking for a different perspective on life, Nihilism might be worth exploring.
“The point is there ain’t no point.” — Cormac McCarthy
What are the Arguments for Nihilism?
- Nihilism is a response to the problem of suffering; Nihilists believe that life is full of sorrow and has no inherent meaning or purpose. They think humans are animals who are born, live, and die with no real reason or purpose.
- Nihilism is a reaction against traditional religion and morality; Nihilists often reject it because they see it as a source of suffering. They also think that religious beliefs are based on illusions and are not valid. Additionally, nihilists reject traditional morality because they see it as an artificial construct that causes more harm than good.
- Nihilism is a way of coping with the absurd; Nihilists believe that the universe is indifferent to human beings and that our individual lives have no inherent purpose. They think that the Absurd is a natural outgrowth of the human condition. But, they don’t see this as a reason to give up or despair. Instead, they think that it’s crucial to create meaning in life.
- Nihilism can be a form of rebellion against society; Nihilists often feel like outcasts from mainstream society. They may see society as corrupt or hypocritical and want to distance themselves from it. In some cases, nihilists may even engage in rebellious or violent acts to protest against what they see as a broken system.
- Nihilism can be a form of self-empowerment; Nihilists often feel they are in control of their lives and destiny. They think that humans are responsible for creating meaning in life. This can be empowering, as it means we can shape our lives and make our values.
“I think we are just insects, we live a bit and then die and that’s the lot. There’s no mercy in things. There’s not even a Great Beyond. There’s nothing.” — John Fowles
What are the Arguments Against Nihilism?
- Nihilism is too pessimistic; Nihilists believe life is meaningless and contains no inherent purpose. This can be a very negative and depressing way to view the world. It’s also worth noting that not all nihilists are pessimistic. Some may see the lack of inherent meaning as a freeing experience, while others may find it oppressive.
- Nihilism can lead to apathy and inaction; If nihilists believe life is meaningless, they may see no reason to take action or care about anything. This can lead to apathy, where people become disengaged from the world around them. Additionally, nihilists may be more likely to engage in risky or self-destructive behaviors, as they see no reason to value their own lives.
- Nihilism can justify selfish or cruel behavior; Some people may use Nihilism as an excuse to behave selfishly or cruelly. They may think that there is no inherent meaning or purpose to life, so they may as well act in ways that benefit themselves. Additionally, nihilists may be more likely to engage in criminal or violent behavior, as they see no reason to obey the law or respect other people’s rights.
- Nihilism can lead to a feeling of hopelessness; If nihilists believe life is meaningless, they may find it hard to maintain hope or motivation. This can lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair. Additionally, nihilists may more likely suffer from mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
- Nihilism is based on several false assumptions; Nihilism is based on the belief that life has no inherent meaning or purpose. However, this assumption is not necessarily valid. Additionally, nihilists often assume that humans are the only source of meaning in life. This is also not true, as we may be unaware of other sources of meaning. Finally, nihilists often assume that the universe is indifferent to human beings. Again, this is not true, and the universe may care about us somehow.
“Our lives are so brief and unimportant. The cosmos cares nothing for us. For what we’ve done; Had we wrought evil instead of good. Had I chosen to abuse the Apple instead of seal it away. None of it would have mattered. There is no counting. No reckoning. No final judgement. There is simply silence. And darkness. Utter and absolute…” — Altaïr Ibn-LaʼAhad, Assassins Creed
Nihilism is a complex and often misunderstood philosophy. It has both positive and negative aspects, and it’s essential to consider the arguments for and against it before making any decisions.
What do you think? Is Nihilism a helpful or harmful philosophy? Let me know in the comments section below!
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This article was first published on Substack’s Beyond Two Cents.
