- Related Topics:
- philosophy
- On the Web:
- Verywell Mind - Nihilism: History, Philosophy, Theories (Oct. 20, 2026)
Nihilism
-
What is nihilism in philosophy?
Nihilism, originating from the Latin word for "nothing," is a philosophical stance that questions the foundation of traditional values and beliefs. It posits that existence is inherently meaningless and purposeless, denying objective moral truths and the possibility of genuine knowledge.
In the 19th century, particularly in Russia, nihilism was associated with skepticism and a rejection of established social orders, authority, and tradition. Friedrich Nietzsche famously used the term to describe the erosion of morality in Western society. While sometimes linked to revolutionary movements, at its core, nihilism represents a profound questioning of existence and value.
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
Where does the idea of nihilism come from?
The idea of nihilism, originating from the Latin word for "nothing," first emerged as a philosophy of skepticism in 19th-century Russia. It was popularized by Ivan Turgenev in his novel Fathers and Sons. Friedrich Nietzsche later used the term to describe the decline of traditional morality in Western society.
Nihilism encompasses various philosophical stances that deny objective moral truths, question the possibility of knowledge, and assert the meaninglessness of life. In the 19th century, Russian nihilists advocated for revolutionary reform, rejecting authority from the state, church, and family, and placing faith solely in scientific truth.
5 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What do nihilists believe about meaning and value?
Nihilists believe that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded, leading to the conclusion that existence is senseless and useless. This philosophy denies objective grounds for truth and moral truths, asserting the ultimate meaninglessness of life and the universe. Some interpretations suggest that nihilism rejects the existence of genuine moral values and the possibility of knowledge. In essence, nihilism posits that nothing truly matters, and there is no inherent purpose or value in existence.
4 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How is nihilism different from other philosophical ideas?
Nihilism is distinct from other philosophical ideas primarily through its radical negation. While skepticism questions the possibility of knowledge or objective truth, nihilism often denies the existence of any genuine moral truths or values, asserting the ultimate meaninglessness of life or the universe. Existentialism, in contrast, emphasizes the concrete nature of human existence and the freedom to create one's own meaning in a potentially absurd world. Unlike nihilism's denial, existentialism focuses on the individual's subjective experience and the possibilities inherent in existence, even in the absence of preordained purpose.
4 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What impact has nihilism had on literature or art?
Nihilism, a philosophy denying objective truth and inherent meaning, has significantly influenced literature and art by challenging traditional values and exploring the purposelessness of existence. This perspective has led to artistic expressions that question reality and embrace interpretations over facts. In literature, nihilistic themes often manifest as a rejection of established social orders and a focus on the negative aspects of human reality, such as pain and death. Existentialist thought, which shares some common ground with nihilism, views art as a manifestation of existence itself, a way to reshape the world and highlight its inherent struggles. This has justified artistic directions that move away from realism, seeking to convey the often troubling characteristics of existence.
4 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How have philosophers responded to or criticized nihilism?
Philosophers have responded to nihilism by exploring its implications and offering counterarguments or alternative perspectives. Albert Camus, influenced by thinkers like Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche, analyzed nihilism in his essay The Myth of Sisyphus. Camus argued that while life may be inherently meaningless, individuals can rebel against this absurdity by embracing the struggle and finding joy in the act of living.
Friedrich Nietzsche himself used the term "nihilism" to describe the disintegration of traditional morality and values in Western society, seeing it as a consequence of the decline of religious belief. Existentialist philosophers, such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger, grappled with the idea that "existence precedes essence," suggesting that individuals create their own meaning and values in a world devoid of inherent purpose. This perspective, while acknowledging the potential for meaninglessness, emphasizes human freedom and responsibility in defining one's own existence.
9 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Nihilism, (from Latin nihil, “nothing”), originally a philosophy of moral and epistemological skepticism that arose in 19th-century Russia during the early years of the reign of Tsar Alexander II. The term was famously used by Friedrich Nietzsche to describe the disintegration of traditional morality in Western society. In the 20th century, nihilism encompassed a variety of philosophical and aesthetic stances that, in one sense or another, denied the existence of genuine moral truths or values, rejected the possibility of knowledge or communication, and asserted the ultimate meaninglessness or purposelessness of life or of the universe.
The term is an old one, applied to certain heretics in the Middle Ages. In Russian literature, nihilism was probably first used by N.I. Nadezhdin, in an 1829 article in the Messenger of Europe, in which he applied it to Aleksandr Pushkin. Nadezhdin, as did V.V. Bervi in 1858, equated nihilism with skepticism. Mikhail Nikiforovich Katkov, a well-known conservative journalist who interpreted nihilism as synonymous with revolution, presented it as a social menace because of its negation of all moral principles.
It was Ivan Turgenev, in his celebrated novel Fathers and Sons (1862), who popularized the term through the figure of Bazarov the nihilist. Eventually, the nihilists of the 1860s and ’70s came to be regarded as disheveled, untidy, unruly, ragged men who rebelled against tradition and social order. The philosophy of nihilism then began to be associated erroneously with the regicide of Alexander II (1881) and the political terror that was employed by those active at the time in clandestine organizations opposed to absolutism.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
If to the conservative elements the nihilists were the curse of the time, to the liberals such as N.G. Chernyshevsky they represented a mere transitory factor in the development of national thought—a stage in the struggle for individual freedom—and a true spirit of the rebellious young generation. In his novel What Is to Be Done? (1863), Chernyshevsky endeavoured to detect positive aspects in the nihilist philosophy. Similarly, in his Memoirs, Prince Peter Kropotkin, the leading Russian anarchist, defined nihilism as the symbol of struggle against all forms of tyranny, hypocrisy, and artificiality and for individual freedom.
Fundamentally, 19th-century nihilism represented a philosophy of negation of all forms of aestheticism; it advocated utilitarianism and scientific rationalism. Classical philosophical systems were rejected entirely. Nihilism represented a crude form of positivism and materialism, a revolt against the established social order; it negated all authority exercised by the state, by the church, or by the family. It based its belief on nothing but scientific truth; science would be the solution of all social problems. All evils, nihilists believed, derived from a single source—ignorance—which science alone would overcome.
The thinking of 19th-century nihilists was profoundly influenced by philosophers, scientists, and historians such as Ludwig Feuerbach, Charles Darwin, Henry Buckle, and Herbert Spencer. Since nihilists denied the duality of human beings as a combination of body and soul, of spiritual and material substance, they came into violent conflict with ecclesiastical authorities. Since nihilists questioned the doctrine of the divine right of kings, they came into similar conflict with secular authorities. Since they scorned all social bonds and family authority, the conflict between parents and children became equally immanent, and it is this theme that is best reflected in Turgenev’s novel.