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'''Nihilism''' is the belief in nothing.  A true nihilist would have no loyalties, and no purpose.  [[Friedrich Nietzsche]] argued that nihilism's corrosive effects would eventually destroy all [[morality|moral]], [[religion|religious]], and metaphysical convictions; cause the collapse of meaning, relevance, purpose, and precipitate the greatest crisis in human history.<ref>http://www.iep.utm.edu/n/nihilism.htm</ref>  An example of nihilism would be the question reportedly posed by [[Jared Loughner]] to a congresswoman whom he allegedly later shot:<ref>http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/01/jared-lee-loughner-friend-voicemail-phone-message?page=1</ref>

'''Nihilism''' (pronounced "NEYE-uh-li-zum") is the belief in nothing.  A true nihilist would have no loyalties, and no purpose.  [[Friedrich Nietzsche]] argued that nihilism's corrosive effects would eventually destroy all [[morality|moral]], [[religion|religious]], and metaphysical convictions; cause the collapse of meaning, relevance, purpose, and precipitate the greatest crisis in human history.<ref>http://www.iep.utm.edu/n/nihilism.htm</ref>  An example of nihilism would be the question reportedly posed by [[Jared Loughner]] to a congresswoman whom he allegedly later shot:<ref>http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/01/jared-lee-loughner-friend-voicemail-phone-message?page=1</ref>

{{cquote|"What is government if words have no meaning?"}}

{{cquote|What is government if words have no meaning?}}

German political philosopher [[Leo Strauss]] argued that modern [[liberal]]ism has within it a tendency towards nihilism.  And because of this view, some philosophers (as far back as [[Plato]]) have argued that political leaders should invent inspiring myths in order to unite citizens of modern liberal democratic society behind a common purpose, the concept of [[natural rights]] as formulated in the [[Declaration of Independence]] is often cited as an example of an inspiring myth.

German political philosopher [[Leo Strauss]] argued that modern [[liberal]]ism has within it a tendency towards nihilism.  And because of this view, some philosophers (as far back as [[Plato]]) have argued that political leaders should invent inspiring myths in order to unite citizens of modern liberal democratic society behind a common purpose, the concept of [[natural rights]] as formulated in the [[Declaration of Independence]] is often cited as an example of an inspiring myth.