| − | '''Nihilism''' (pronounced "NEYE-uh-li-zuhm") is the belief in nothing, an extreme form of [[atheism]]. 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''' (IPA pronunciation: "ˈnaɪ.əlɪzəm") is the belief in nothing, an extreme form of [[atheism]]. 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> |