nihilism

The belief that existence is useless and pointless, life has no meaning.

I've read so much Nietzsche, that I've adopted a nihlistic worldview!

by shawn December 25, 2004

nihilism

'The ethical theory that there can be no true morality as there can not logically be any absolute scale within the fundamental laws of the universe with which to measure them'

Average person: it is morally good to save a child's life
Nihilist: it is neither good nor bad to save the child's life according to nihilism
Average person II: It is morally good to stick a baby in a blender according to nihilism
Nihilist: it is neither good nor bad to blend a baby
Diamondback-Omega: it is funny though =

by Diamondback-Omega February 5, 2010

nihilism

A philosophy based on extreme skepticism. In it's most basic form (Before it was clouded by ideas involving politics, social rhetoric, sex, drugs, rock and roll etc.), which we can refer to as "epistemological nihilism", simply denies the possibility of knowledge of truth. Previous epistemological philosophies failed in obtaining truth because all possible vessels for obtaining truth cannot be proven truthful themselves. Empiricism fails because one must assume that their senses depict an accurate portrayal of their secular existence (or that a secular world even exists, for that matter), which fuels their observations; sensations also depend on senses to provide the observer with the source of the sensation. Rationalism fails because without a secular experience, real or imaginary, one's lack of experience prevents them from being able to reason. ie, they cannot reason without the use of empirical devices. Therefore, rationalism cannot gain one knowledge without empirical methods, which are already based on assumptions (faith) of senses; assumptions cannot lead to the knowledge of truth. Intuitionalism fails because it also has the potential to utilize empirical (and rational) devices; It allows one to alter their truth based on new experiences. This leaves room for "error" and keeps "truth" from being absolute or even certain.

Empiricist: Can't you see the truth?
Person: No, I'm blind.

Rationalist: I think, therefore I am.
Person: You used speech to make that proclamation; One must use sight or hearing to interpret.

Nihilist: Nothing can be certain.
Person: You can't prove that.
Nihilist: You're catching on.

Nihilism is the only epistemological philosophy worth following.

by talkingmouth August 30, 2008

nihilism

The philosophy that life, the universe, and existence are essentially pointless. all nihilists are atheists, but not all atheists are nihilists.

George Carlin's later comedy indicates a streak of nihilism

by Hardy McTits August 20, 2008

Nihilism

The belief in nothing.

"Blessed are those who believe in nothing; never shall it terrorize them." ~Ragnar Redbeard

"He who knows nothing, doubts nothing." ~Confuscious

by Don Megiddo December 8, 2004

Nihilism

Hey, the other definition is all well and but it missed the point. Nihilism is great! Nothing matters! Have a good time! Chill out! Be good to each other! Be a hippy/nihilist hybrid and love the world!

Yay Nihilism! It's all true!

by TheLastAngryBriton December 2, 2004

nihilism

The most useless philosophy ever devised.

The purpose of questioning values is to determine which are useful and which aren't. Nihilism defeats itself. Saying everything is worthless is like saying everything is valuable. It is a cop-out philosophy for angry teenagers who want to sound cool and intellectual.

by Killing Kittens March 3, 2005