Nihilism: Meaning/meaningless of life

Are you a nihilist? Does anything really matter?

Rooted in the Latin word ‘nihil’ meaning nothing; Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be communicated, for example: knowledge, morality or meaning/purpose, intelligible truth and essential value. All situations have the same value and consequence. An extreme/total nihilist believes in nothing, no loyalties and no purpose except an impulse to destroy.

It can also be described as the condition of tension between what we want/need and how the world operates/appears to. When we find out that the world doesn’t have the objective meaning or value we want it to have or believed it to have, we are thrown into an existential crisis.

There are different forms of nihilism:

1. Total nihilism: Kierkegaard proposed a form of nihilism called leveling where all individuality is suppressed so that sole uniqueness becomes non-existent and nothing meaningful in one’s life can be claimed. In the extreme; it’s a stillness like death into which nothing can pierce. The existential philosopher, generally advocated against it but saw its importance because it would forced people into individual accountability. This is as opposed to the ‘herd’ where people just parrot belief without any idea why they believe it.
2. Moral nihilism: when people think of nihilism today, this is the appearance it takes. A moral nihilist would be someone who believes that all moral statements are false. Nothing is morally right or morally wrong. Someone who acts for their own pleasure for whatever reason even if it’s due to the fear of punishment. A famous philosopher here would be Nietzche. “Everything is permissible.” (Will get back to him later.)
3. Convectional nihilism: where instead of being against all societal conventions/customs like the total nihilist, one would reject almost all or specific societal norms. Not by the basis of classes but individual conventions. For instance one may reject the societal custom of getting a job, building a family, serving your community etc., and this is what Diogenes the cynic did.

Diogenes the Cynic

Let’s take a detour and peer into the life of Diogenes for a bit because he fascinates me. The cynic label was well earned as he made sure to reject almost all societal norms in his time. I mean; he chose to be homeless, living on the streets naked, begging for food, urinating on people and defecating in public, publicly sexually self-pleasing, my goodness! Insulting about every other person into doing philosophy; Aristotle, Plato etc., were not exempt. One time Alexander the great heard about him and went to see him. Alexander offered him anything he wanted and his response was, all he wanted was for him to move away as he was blocking his sunlight😂😂😂. This actually made Alexander admire him.

I kinda admire him for this too, although, I do not share his philosophy. “Own nothing and live like a dog?!” He truly believed dogs were/are happier than men. Be that as it may, he was practicing what he preached which is very rare even today, especially with nihilism. Rather, I should say, I see 2 broader categories in nihilism; theoretical and practical. A person can be understandably a theoretical or practical total nihilist, moral nihilist or convectional nihilist. That said, I struggle to see the theoretical nihilists as nothing more than hypocrites, unless, say, one is impeded by a physical ailment that would render them unable to practice what they believe. Do you know any other person who practices nihilism?

I think such nihilism leads to despair and hopelessness, and taken to its extreme, why not ‘unalive’ yourself? What’s the point? To show you can live without the basics: hungry, wounded, cold? Without shame? How’s this freedom? I get it but…I don’t. I get it’s about having choice but why would one choose that life?

Friedrich Nietzche

One cannot talk about nihilism and not discuss Nietzche. Honestly, he confuses me. I can’t tell yet if his suffering caused his nihilism or vice versa. If you can, please enlighten us. For him, like for Diogenes, there’s freedom in nihilism. He sees shame and envy as a catalyst to becoming who you are meant to become. This is why he or nihilism in general confuses me. Isn’t ‘what you’re meant to become’, purpose? your value in life? They simply see one thing as more important than the other, right? Nietzche has a bone to pick with Christianity and alcohol. He sees both as an ailment/weakness in society because they both numb pain; encourage cowardice and denial. “Christianity is an antidote to nihilism.” He argues that they hold back people with morality (envy and shame are repressed); which hinders them from becoming the ubermensch (superman) who is self-overcoming to improve ones life. Life is fulfilled by living dangerously and painfully.

I obviously disagree with Nietzche that we need to abolish Christianity and replace it with culture i.e., art, music, literature, philosophy as they sit perfectly together. I agree with him though that religious beliefs are important as they help us cope with the problems of life.

I don’t believe a bit of nihilism is bad for society; one Diogenes per generation wouldn’t hurt either. This topic has certainly given me (i hope you too) a new perspective in life. Additionally, I think shame/shamelessness in society today needs redefinition. Thoughts?

Is it possible to truly live like there’s no value (ultimate reason for action) and meaning in life without rotting away?

Is there a solution to nihilism? I will explore this in a future post. I’m particularly interested in my favorite Philosopher yet, Dostoevsky’s Crime and punishment and the underground man. Keep reading!

Can Science and religion Coexist? Disproving the myth: