nothingness

philosophy

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July 1, 2026

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In philosophy, "nothingness" can refer to the state of non-existence or death. Existentialism explores human existence as possibility, where individuals define themselves through choices rather than a predetermined essence. This perspective contrasts with the "in-itself" being of objects, which possess a factual reality.12

In religious and mystical contexts, emptiness signifies a state of pure consciousness devoid of particular thoughts or images. This concept is found in traditions like Buddhism, Taoism, and Jewish mysticism, representing an undifferentiated reality or quality of reality. While some philosophical views see existence as a negation of reality, religious traditions may find a connection between existence and a transcendent Being.32

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existentialism
Ontic structure of human existence
…(as possibility) appears as the nothingness of Being, as the negation of every reality of fact. In a brief but famous work, Was ist Metaphysik? (1929; What Is Metaphysics?), Heidegger affirmed that “Human existence cannot have a relationship with being unless it remains in the midst of nothingness.” Rudolf Carnap,…
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…(as possibility) appears as the nothingness of Being, as the negation of every reality of fact. In a brief but famous work, Was ist Metaphysik? (1929; What Is Metaphysics?), Heidegger affirmed that “Human existence cannot have a relationship with being unless it remains in the midst of nothingness.” Rudolf Carnap,…
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Jean-Paul Sartre
Early life and writings
Sartre places human consciousness, or no-thingness (néant), in opposition to being, or thingness (être). Consciousness is not-matter and by the same token escapes all determinism. The message, with all the implications it contains, is a hopeful one; yet the incessant reminder that human endeavour is and remains useless makes the…
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Sartre places human consciousness, or no-thingness (néant), in opposition to being, or thingness (être). Consciousness is not-matter and by the same token escapes all determinism. The message, with all the implications it contains, is a hopeful one; yet the incessant reminder that human endeavour is and remains useless makes the…
Read More