Difference between revisions of "Nihilism"
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Major types of nihilism include: | Major types of nihilism include: | ||
| − | *'''epistemological nihilism''' which denies the possibility of knowledge and truth; this form of nihilism is identified with [[postmodernism]]. One famous example of epistemological nihilism is the words Socrates said before his death: "''I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.''" | + | *'''epistemological nihilism''' which denies the possibility of knowledge and truth; this form of nihilism is identified with [[postmodernism]]. One famous example of epistemological nihilism is the words [[Socrates]] said before his death: "''I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.''" |
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*'''Political Nihilism''' is the belief that the destruction of all existing political, social, and religious order is a prerequisite for any future improvement; this form of nihilism is identified with [[anarchism]]. | *'''Political Nihilism''' is the belief that the destruction of all existing political, social, and religious order is a prerequisite for any future improvement; this form of nihilism is identified with [[anarchism]]. | ||
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*'''Moral nihilism''' rejects all moral or ethical values; this form of nihilism is identified with [[moral relativity|moral relativism]]. | *'''Moral nihilism''' rejects all moral or ethical values; this form of nihilism is identified with [[moral relativity|moral relativism]]. | ||
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*'''Existential nihilism''' is the notion that life has no meaning or purpose.<ref>http://www.iep.utm.edu/n/nihilism.htm</ref> | *'''Existential nihilism''' is the notion that life has no meaning or purpose.<ref>http://www.iep.utm.edu/n/nihilism.htm</ref> | ||
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*'''Mereological nihilism''' is the view that objects with parts do not exist, it's a human illusion; this view has been identified with some aspects of [[Buddhist philosophy]] and [[Immanuel Kant]]'s [[transcendental idealism]]. | *'''Mereological nihilism''' is the view that objects with parts do not exist, it's a human illusion; this view has been identified with some aspects of [[Buddhist philosophy]] and [[Immanuel Kant]]'s [[transcendental idealism]]. | ||
Revision as of 03:13, June 7, 2007
Nihilism is the belief in nothing. A true nihilist would have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy everything of value in society. Friedrich Nietzsche argued that nihilism's corrosive effects would eventually destroy all moral, religious, and metaphysical convictions; cause the collapse of meaning, relevance, purpose, and precipitate the greatest crisis in human history.[1] German political philosopher Leo Strauss argued that modern liberalism 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.
Major types of nihilism include:
- epistemological nihilism which denies the possibility of knowledge and truth; this form of nihilism is identified with postmodernism. One famous example of epistemological nihilism is the words Socrates said before his death: "I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing."
- Political Nihilism is the belief that the destruction of all existing political, social, and religious order is a prerequisite for any future improvement; this form of nihilism is identified with anarchism.
- Moral nihilism rejects all moral or ethical values; this form of nihilism is identified with moral relativism.
- Existential nihilism is the notion that life has no meaning or purpose.[2]
- Mereological nihilism is the view that objects with parts do not exist, it's a human illusion; this view has been identified with some aspects of Buddhist philosophy and Immanuel Kant's transcendental idealism.
In his book, The Decline of the West, German philosopher Oswald Spengler observes that pattern of nihilism was a feature shared by all civilizations on the verge of collapse.
Beyond Nihilism
Friedrich Nietzsche has argued in his book The Will To Power, that the only way to overcome nihilism is experience first-hand the abyss of nihilism, then by value positing. Friedrich Nietzsche calls these kind of men who can overcome nihilism, the Übermensch.
References
See Also
Liberalism and the two roads to nihilism: how liberalism can collapse into nihilism through materialism or false idealism by Fred Hutchison, March 7, 2007.
