MODERN NIHILISM

Philosophers and Thinkers Associated with Nihilism

1. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
• Often associated with nihilism, Nietzsche critiqued it rather than endorsing it. He explored how the "death of God" led to a crisis of meaning and values in Western culture.
• Nietzsche saw nihilism as a transitional phase and argued for creating new values to overcome it through the concept of the Übermensch (Overman).
2. Ivan Turgenev (1818–1883)
• Russian novelist Turgenev popularized "nihilism" in Fathers and Sons (1862). The character Bazarov is a "nihilist," rejecting authority, tradition, and sentimentality in favor of rationalism and materialism.
3. Max Stirner (1806–1856)
• Stirner’s philosophy, expressed in The Ego and Its Own (1844), was radically individualistic, emphasizing self-interest over moral or societal constructs. His ideas influenced anarchism and existentialism, and he is sometimes linked to nihilism due to his rejection of external authority.
4. Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–1980) and Albert Camus (1913–1960)
• Though existentialists rather than nihilists, Sartre and Camus grappled with nihilistic themes. In particular, Camus addressed life's absurdity in The Myth of Sisyphus, arguing for rebellion against meaninglessness through personal integrity and creativity.

Movements Accused of Nihilism

1. Russian Nihilists (1860s–1880s)
• A radical intellectual movement in Russia, inspired partly by Turgenev’s characterization, embraced nihilistic rejection of social norms, religion, and autocracy.
• Figures like Sergei Nechaev and the group "People’s Will" adopted extremist tactics, including assassination, to promote revolutionary change, contributing to the association of nihilism with anarchism and violence.
2. Modernist Art Movements (20th Century)
• Dadaism, Futurism, and other avant-garde movements have been accused of nihilism for their rejection of traditional aesthetic values and conventions.
• These movements aimed to deconstruct norms but also sought to create new forms of expression, making them more aligned with Nietzsche’s "active nihilism" than a pure rejection of meaning.
3. Postmodernism (Late 20th Century)
• Postmodernist thinkers like Jean Baudrillard and Jacques Derrida have been accused of nihilism for their deconstruction of truth, meaning, and grand narratives.
• Critics argue that postmodernism leads to a relativistic or nihilistic worldview, though many postmodernists see their work as liberating rather than destructive.

Accused but Misunderstood

1. The Buddha (6th–4th century BCE)
• Some critics of Buddhism, particularly in the West, have mistakenly accused it of nihilism due to its teaching of anatta (non-self) and the impermanence of all things.
• However, Buddhism does not deny meaning but seeks liberation from suffering through enlightenment.
2. Early Christians
• During the Roman Empire, Christians were sometimes accused of nihilism for rejecting the traditional gods and Roman cultural values.
• Like many accused of nihilism, their aim was transformative rather than destructive.
3. Contemporary Critics of Religion and Politics
• Figures like Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins have been labeled nihilistic by their detractors for their rejection of religious dogma. However, they propose alternate frameworks for meaning rooted in science and reason.

Cultural Associations with Nihilism

1. Literature
• Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Demons and Notes from Underground explore the dangers of nihilism, portraying characters who struggle with or embody its consequences.
• Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot reflects themes of absurdity and futility, often linked to nihilism.
2. Pop Culture
• Nihilism appears in music, art, and cinema, often as a critique of societal values. Examples include punk rock’s rejection of authority and the Coen Brothers’ The Big Lebowski, featuring comically nihilistic antagonists.

Misconceptions about Nihilism

Nihilism is often portrayed as purely destructive or as advocating for despair. However:

• Nietzsche distinguished between "passive nihilism" (resignation) and "active nihilism" (rebuilding values).
• Many accused of nihilism are more accurately described as critics of existing systems seeking reform or transformation.

Nihilism’s history is diverse, spanning philosophy, politics, and culture. It reflects humanity’s ongoing struggle with meaning, morality, and the structure of society. Hitchins and Dawkins best represent the contemporary critical thinkers best exemplifying the good side of nihilism.

William James Spriggs