Overview
This lecture introduces nihilism, its definition, historical development, main types, and its significance in Western thought, especially in relation to Nietzsche’s philosophy.
Introduction to Nihilism
- Nietzsche describes nihilism as the devaluation of the highest values, with the aim of life lacking purpose or meaning.
- Nihilism has roots in ancient thought but became a significant term in the West in the mid-19th century.
- The Russian novel "Fathers and Sons" (1862) popularized the term, focusing on political nihilism.
Types of Nihilism
- Nihilism is characterized by denial or negation of value, meaning, or desirability.
- Moral nihilism denies objective moral principles or obligations.
- Epistemological nihilism denies objective truth or meaning beyond individual or group perspectives.
- Cosmic nihilism denies meaning or value in nature, viewing it as indifferent or hostile.
- Existential nihilism claims life itself lacks inherent meaning or purpose, often encompassing the other types.
Meaning and Human Life
- "Meaning" can refer to both signification (what something is) and purpose (the intent behind it).
- For life to have meaning, its purpose must be knowable or identifiable by people.
- The desire for meaning is often linked to human suffering and awareness of mortality.
Two-World Theories and Religion
- People have traditionally looked to another reality (the "true world") for ultimate meaning (e.g., Plato’s Forms, Christianity’s Heaven).
- Christianity provided Western civilization with a clear sense of life’s purpose—living for God to attain Heaven—which acted as an antidote to nihilism.
Pessimism and the Emergence of Nihilism
- Pessimism about life’s value is ancient (e.g., Theognis), but as long as meaning is believed in, nihilism doesn’t take hold.
- Christianity’s promise of purpose and meaning protected against nihilism for centuries.
Science and the Crisis of Meaning
- The rise of science in the 16th and 17th centuries weakened faith in religious "two-world" theories.
- Nietzsche’s phrase "God is dead" symbolizes the collapse of religious meaning and the rise of the crisis of meaning.
- Science explains how things work but does not provide purpose or meaning for human life, leading to existential nihilism.
The Modern Era and Nihilism
- Scientific discoveries (e.g., Giordano Bruno’s infinite universe) diminished humanity’s cosmic importance, challenging religious worldviews.
- Nietzsche foresaw a growing wave of nihilism in modern Western culture, predicting its dominance unless addressed.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Nihilism — The denial or negation of value, purpose, or meaning in life.
- Moral Nihilism — Denial of objective moral truths or obligations.
- Epistemological Nihilism — Denial of objective truth or meaning outside one’s perspective.
- Cosmic Nihilism — Denial of inherent meaning or value in nature or the universe.
- Existential Nihilism — Belief that life itself lacks inherent meaning or purpose.
- Two-World Theory — Philosophical/religious theories that posit a higher, true reality as the source of meaning.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare for the next lecture, which will focus on suffering and its role in Nietzsche’s views on nihilism.