NIHILISM Meaning and
Definition
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Nihilism is a philosophical concept that rejects the existence of inherent or objective meaning or value in life, the universe, and human existence. Derived from the Latin word "nihil," meaning "nothing," nihilism posits that life lacks any ultimate purpose, essence, or significance. It challenges the belief in religious or moral principles, as well as other established systems of meaning or order.
As a philosophical worldview, nihilism often denies the existence of God, absolute truths, and universally binding values. It argues that all values, beliefs, and ideals are ultimately social constructions with no inherent grounding. Nihilism is characterized by skepticism, radical doubt, and the belief that life is devoid of objective truths, teleology, or metaphysical underpinnings.
Nihilism can take various forms, such as existential nihilism, which emphasizes the meaninglessness and absurdity of human existence, or moral nihilism, which denies the existence of objective moral values. It can manifest in a sense of despair, purposelessness, or even a rejection of conventional societal norms.
While nihilism has been associated with pessimism and destructive tendencies, it can also serve as a critical tool for questioning and challenging oppressive structures, dogmas, and ideologies. It offers the opportunity for individuals to create their own subjective meanings and values, acknowledging the absence of any inherent ones.
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A disbelief in the therapeutic value of drugs, at least in their power to modify the course of the so-called selflimited diseases; called also therapeutic nihilism.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Nothingness; the doctrine that nothing can be known.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Other Common Misspellings for NIHILISM
Etymology of NIHILISM
The word "nihilism" originated from the Latin term "nihil", which translates to "nothing". It is derived from the Latin phrase "ex nihilo", meaning "out of nothing". The term "nihilism" was first introduced into philosophical discourse in the mid-19th century by Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi, a German philosopher. However, it gained significant popularity through the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher and cultural critic, in the late 19th century. Nietzsche's exploration of nihilism in his writings, including his famous work "Thus Spoke Zarathustra", played a crucial role in shaping its modern philosophical meaning.
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