The Shift from Meaninglessness
Without purpose, without life. Nihilism is a state of mind, and an element of culture. (Goudsblom 105) Nihilism is “absolute nothing…and a loss of truth.” (Carr 14) Though it is contradictory and contrasting in its different explanations, nihilism “is derived from [the prefix] nihil-”. Meaning, Nothing. (Thielicke 17) Consequently, it is clearly evident that those who have written about the subject do not always agree on the true concept. It is very “apparent that nihilism itself takes on many different and important stages” as well as types and several elements. Over time, many experts are able to concur that it is a self destructive state of mind that needs to be “overcome throughout and over time” (Nishitani 76). Though it can not be overcome until it is fully understood. This allows for the analysis of the philosophical elements of nihilism. The exploration of nihilism is overall confusing, contradictory, yet rewarding.
Highly debated is the concept of what nihilism truly is. The concept of it as a philosophy “literally has only one truth to declare…the truth is ultimately nothingness.” It shows the world as meaningless (Thielicke 27). That nothing seems to truly matter in the eyes of a nihilist. As it can also insinuate to a state of mind as being one in which “nothing appears to have value or meaning. In the eyes of Hegel nihilism refers to the notion of absolute nothing. (Carr 17) Nihilism is also seen as a commodity that is formed rather than believed in. That it can come out of a point where “all moral values disappear”. In which unethical items and ideas, such as murder and suicide no longer become reprehensible because life is now without purpose and thus becomes incongruous. (Goudsblom 45). Nihilism was deemed something “best to avoid” either way that it was or is beheld (Carr 14). Due to the direct meaningless that it involves and the effect it may leave on other people. Some of the conflicting issues also concern...