Are You a Nihilist, or Do You Just Not Care About Anything?

The definition of a nihilist is a person who believes that life is meaningless and rejects all religious and moral principles. Nihilism is the viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded. It is a philosophical movement that denies the rules and authorities established by society. A person who shares this worldview and questions any generally accepted norms is called a Nihilist. The term is becoming increasingly popular in various fields: religion, culture, law, and the social sphere.

By examining nihilism as a part of society, we can understand why this movement arose and when. It is important to analyze the principles and views of nihilists and the goals they usually pursue.

What Is a Nihilist?

A nihilist is someone who believes that life has no purpose, value, or meaning, including their own. Nihilists do not believe in the existence of any objective morality, and any rules or laws they follow, if any, are superficial or observed only for practical reasons.

The Meaning of Nihilist and Nihilism

The word “nihilist” is defined as the rejection by an individual of certain things, such as the meaning of personal existence, the presence of authorities, and the worship of religious idols. Lexically, a nihilist is someone who supports radically democratic reasoning and expresses their rejection of commonly accepted laws, rules, and traditions.

In modern society, the meaning of the word nihilist has become deeper and broader. However, the views and beliefs of such people have not changed much. 21st-century nihilists also hold worldviews that allow them to question the rules and standards of society, as well as reject any ideals, moral and ethical norms, and established forms of social existence.

Principles of Nihilists

The movement that follows nihilistic principles is called nihilism. This movement is characterized by a mindset and lifestyle that implies the rejection of everything. The specific meaning and manifestation of nihilism in any given situation depend on the circumstances and time period.

Most sources describe nihilists as negative or pessimistic individuals. According to many, these people are constantly in a state of protest and rebellion, dissatisfied with the established rules and laws of society. Supporters of nihilism can be found in many areas of society. Each participant in the movement rejects the area that is most convenient for them: politics, culture, or religion.

The first mention of nihilism appeared in the Middle Ages with Alexander III. The German philosopher F.G. Jacobi also used the term nihilism. It is also known that Nietzsche was a nihilist. He held the belief based on the denial of God and the failure of Christianity as a religion.

Traditional nihilism is the foundation for the emergence of deeper and newer types of this movement. Members of the nihilist movement are not always unanimous in their reasoning and conclusions. Even more disputes arise between society and representatives of nihilism. Ordinary members of society often cannot understand nihilists and their beliefs. It is even harder to understand a nihilist who rejects all interactions and believes in nothing.

Nihilists find it difficult to understand a society that idealizes and gives meaning to things without good reason. Through their protest, they try to prove that the existence of the world does not depend on people and their ideals. The world and the universe function independently and do not need to be cultivated or worshipped. Thus, nihilism is characterized by a worldview based on progress and rationality.

Main Principles and Views of Nihilists

Nihilists’ views are always clear and concise. Their statements are based on specific principles and beliefs in which they trust. The most common assertions of nihilists include:

• There is no supreme ruler or creator, i.e., God does not exist, as there is no reasonable or understandable evidence for this.
• Morality and ethics do not exist independently.
• Life has no truth, and no objective action is more important than another.

Nihilists’ principles are always close to reality, and their reasoning is always based only on facts. A nihilist is someone who approaches everything with skeptical distrust and suspicion, often seeking unconventional explanations.

Types of Nihilism

• Philosophical nihilism: Claims that existence has no specific meaning, truth, factor, or value.
• Mereological nihilism: According to this type, objects and things made up of separate parts do not exist.
• Metaphysical nihilism: Based on the theory that objects do not exist in real time.
• Epistemological nihilism: Denies all forms of knowledge.
• Moral nihilism: From a meta-ethical perspective, claims that there are no such things as moral or immoral.
• Legal nihilism: Questions the norms and rules of behavior established by governing bodies.

This way of thinking in society involves both active and passive denial of individual rights. It can hinder the normal development of society and may lead to unlawful actions.

Nihilism in Real Life and Literature

In Russia, the definition of nihilism appeared in 1829. The first to use this term was N.I. Nadezhdin. Later, nihilism was mentioned in the works of V.V. Bervi. Nihilism became widely known in the form we know it today thanks to Ivan Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons.” The popularity of this work turned the term nihilism into a catchphrase.

In modern society, nihilists can often be found both in real life and in literature. Undoubtedly, Turgenev most vividly and fully described the term nihilism in his work. Through the main character as a nihilist, the author conveyed to the reader the full meaning of the concept and the consequences of such behavior. The novel became very popular and gained many fans. Over time, the meaning of the word nihilism has come to include more and more meanings. To the previously established principles, the rejection of authorities and doubt in citizens’ legal rights have been added.

Nihilism as a movement is mainly found in Russia and other post-Soviet countries. In Western countries, nihilism as a philosophical movement almost does not exist and appears only in isolated cases. Nihilism in Russia appeared in the early 1860s. Notable representatives of this movement were Chernyshevsky, Pisarev, and Dobrolyubov. Later representatives of the nihilist movement include V.I. Lenin. Some aspects of his behavior and views allow him to be considered a follower of nihilism.

Besides Russian nihilists, the most famous is the German philosopher Nietzsche. He was an ardent nihilist in every sense. His worldview and beliefs were based on the devaluation of high values and the denial of God. He also denied the necessity of compassion for others, considering such a quality a weakness. According to his definition, the ideal person is evil and selfish, incapable of empathy or sympathy.

Conclusion

Although nihilism is not a new phenomenon, many questions about this term remain unanswered. For each person, this concept is interpreted differently. Some see this position as a disease that prevents normal existence in society. For others, it is, on the contrary, a cure for all ills.

A nihilist rejects family values, spiritual life, and moral principles, i.e., does not recognize the fundamental concepts on which society is built and exists. Everyone should realize that these foundations are important and that normal functioning among people is impossible without them. What do you think: is nihilism a sentence, or is it possible to change a person’s worldview? Are people born nihilists, or do they become them?