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Nihilism (/ ˈ n aɪ (h) ɪ l ɪ z əm, ˈ n iː-/; from Latin nihil 'nothing') is a philosophical approach that rejects the absolute validity of commonly accepted or fundamental aspects of human existence, such as knowledge, morality, or meaning, while not directing towards any specific conclusion, such as the rejection of values.
Oct 20, 2022 · Nihilism is a philosophy that rejects values and the valuation society places on people, objects, and life, and instead states that everything is meaningless.
The meaning of NIHILISM is a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless. How to use nihilism in a sentence.
nihilism, (from Latin nihil, “nothing”), originally a philosophy of moral and epistemological skepticism that arose in 19th-century Russia during the early years of the reign of Tsar Alexander II. The term was famously used by Friedrich Nietzsche to describe the disintegration of traditional morality in Western society.
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Nihilism is a family of views that works around the shared premise that there is no inherent value, meaning and order to life (independent of the value/meaning we create).
As a philosophy, nihilism rejects the value and meaning society places on people, objects, and life. The exact origin of the term is uncertain, but scholars have been able to pinpoint it to the 18th century.
From there, nihilism became a popular topic within philosophical circles. Some of the most important thinkers are listed below.
When it comes to discussing nihilism in contemporary society, two leading theoretical practices are usually referenced — existential and cosmic nihilism.
However, while these may be the most common, there have been various positions explored and the term is regularly used in a variety of contexts. It is because of this that nihilism is seen as a vague and ambiguous term.
Existential Dread
Existential dread refers to the negative feelings experienced by an individual when they begin to question their purpose in the world, the meaning of life, and what comes after death. Existential dread is usually linked to nihilism due to it being seen as a response or consequence of engagement to questions around the meaning of life. That said, you do not have to be a nihilist to experience it. Should this existential dread intensify, it can lead to something called an existential crisis or existential anxiety. For existentialists, an existential crisis is considered a necessary, complex journey of awareness and growth. However, for those not intending to start that journey, it can arise surprisingly during periods of instability and exacerbate mental health problems. Leading to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, to name a few. While there are no specific treatment options for people experiencing an existential crisis, there are options available to help with some of the symptoms, such as medication (antidepressants in particular), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), self-care activities, and mindfulness. How to Know If You Have Existential Depression With Melissa Bernstein
You don’t have to be a full-blown nihilist to experience nihilistic thoughts; it is normal to question the meaning of life and all of the suffering that people experience.
Being a nihilist or having nihilist thoughts isn’t a negative thing. As detailed above, many nihilist theories say that it is up to the individual to create their own meaning.
Remember, nihilism can lead to meaningful worldviews, so perhaps our actual value comes from leading a healthy and happy life. For example, some people believe they create meaning by paving the way for future generations! Others view the futility of existence to be a more significant incentive to find love and happiness. The choice is yours!
As a Therapist, Here Are 4 Ways to Cope With Existential Dread
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Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy.
Nihilism can mean believing that nothing is real, believing that it’s impossible to know anything, believing that all values are based on nothing, especially moral values, or believing that life is inherently and utterly meaningless. We will discuss these different kinds of nihilism through its history and in section five.
