a belief in the pointless of existance. the absence of truth. the absence of reason.
those who see it as a self-defeating argument are people who still have something to believe in.
despite the universe being so mind-numbingly complex and consciousness itself being so much of a mystery, many people actually believe that nihilism is invalid because the 'logic' possessed by what we think of as our consciousness doesn't allow it to make sense.
a christian might argue that god must exist because there must be some infinite force in the universe. they would then argue that god is the creator of all life, and that things like logic come from god, and in fact are a part of god (as he is infinite). unfortunately, this is also self-defeating, because by using logic to prove the existance of god (and thus logic) is just as absurd as nihilism. this, in turn, leads to the logic that nothing can be known. this then continues and endless loop of logic and anti-logic, making existance seem pointless, insane, and absurd. and THAT is what nihilism really is.
Nietzsche is commonly associated with nihilism, although from what i've been able to figure out without actually studying it in school (while researching it in my spare time), he was not a nihilist himself. rather, he seems to be more of someone who defined it and contemplated the intricacies associated with it.
trent reznor, creator of nine inch nails is generally considered to be a true nihilist, which is represented by the lyrics, feeling, and sound of his music. even nothing records, a record company started by reznor, embraces this concept in its name.
those who see it as a self-defeating argument are people who still have something to believe in.
despite the universe being so mind-numbingly complex and consciousness itself being so much of a mystery, many people actually believe that nihilism is invalid because the 'logic' possessed by what we think of as our consciousness doesn't allow it to make sense.
a christian might argue that god must exist because there must be some infinite force in the universe. they would then argue that god is the creator of all life, and that things like logic come from god, and in fact are a part of god (as he is infinite). unfortunately, this is also self-defeating, because by using logic to prove the existance of god (and thus logic) is just as absurd as nihilism. this, in turn, leads to the logic that nothing can be known. this then continues and endless loop of logic and anti-logic, making existance seem pointless, insane, and absurd. and THAT is what nihilism really is.
Nietzsche is commonly associated with nihilism, although from what i've been able to figure out without actually studying it in school (while researching it in my spare time), he was not a nihilist himself. rather, he seems to be more of someone who defined it and contemplated the intricacies associated with it.
trent reznor, creator of nine inch nails is generally considered to be a true nihilist, which is represented by the lyrics, feeling, and sound of his music. even nothing records, a record company started by reznor, embraces this concept in its name.
Exmaple 1:
person A) god must exist. finite things have to come from somewhere, and only something infinite can make something finite.
person B) that is based on so many assumptions that my brain wants to explode just thinking that someone can actually believe that the universe is that simple. just become a nihilist. it's a lot easier, and still allows you to function in society without being racist, homophobic, or sexist.
person A) okay.
person B) ph34|2.
Example 2:
person A) i sure am pissed that nine inch nails tour sold out in under 5 minutes.
person B) shrug.
person A) god must exist. finite things have to come from somewhere, and only something infinite can make something finite.
person B) that is based on so many assumptions that my brain wants to explode just thinking that someone can actually believe that the universe is that simple. just become a nihilist. it's a lot easier, and still allows you to function in society without being racist, homophobic, or sexist.
person A) okay.
person B) ph34|2.
Example 2:
person A) i sure am pissed that nine inch nails tour sold out in under 5 minutes.
person B) shrug.
by bluie April 15, 2005
n. Root words nihilist and live, it is a contradiction or a play on words. It means to live without living.
by Nihilive March 19, 2005
A theory that life is without purpose, many things deconstruct to this after continuous questioning of why. From this, we realise value does not exist (without purpose it can't have extrinsic value)
Ethics and Morals become non existent and are merely thought to be invented by man for man to control man even though he has no reason to be controlled.
Also, Nihilists don't believe in anything. (Thoughts and ideas are not beliefs)
Ethics and Morals become non existent and are merely thought to be invented by man for man to control man even though he has no reason to be controlled.
Also, Nihilists don't believe in anything. (Thoughts and ideas are not beliefs)
Prole1 "Don't do that, it's evil and wrong."
Nihilist "why is it? men have created morals and ethics not realising they are useless, we are without purpose. Nihilism makes you're ideas invalid"
Prole2 "We need to care for our planet."
Nihilist "Why? it has no value."
Nihilist "why is it? men have created morals and ethics not realising they are useless, we are without purpose. Nihilism makes you're ideas invalid"
Prole2 "We need to care for our planet."
Nihilist "Why? it has no value."
by Morka Graven September 26, 2009
by shawn December 26, 2005
'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 =
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 6, 2010
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.
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 April 18, 2006
One of KMFDM's most well-known albums, with hits such as 'Juke Joint Jezebel', 'Brute', and 'Ultra'.
by Mister E. February 15, 2004