Nihilism
noun
A belief that life is meaningless and rejects all religious and moral principles.
His philosophy of nihilism made him reject all traditional values and beliefs.
Often appears as...
- philosophical nihilism
- moral nihilism
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A policy of destruction or denying of established values or institutions.
The oppressive regime led to rampant nihilism among the population.
Often appears as...
- political nihilism
- destructive nihilism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Political
noun
A belief that life is meaningless and rejects all religious and moral principles.
His philosophy of nihilism made him reject all traditional values and beliefs.
Often appears as...
- philosophical nihilism
- moral nihilism
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A policy of destruction or denying of established values or institutions.
The oppressive regime led to rampant nihilism among the population.
Often appears as...
- political nihilism
- destructive nihilism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Political
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Not Depressing
Nihilism isn't always negative; it can be freeing, rejecting pressures to find meaning.
She embraced nihilism, feeling liberated from societal expectations.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Anti-Social
Nihilism doesn't require action against society; it's a personal belief about life's lack of intrinsic value.
Despite his nihilism, he still participates in social rituals out of respect for others.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Misconceptions
Some cultures see nihilism as taboo or too radical due to its rejection of widely-held values.
His nihilistic views often clashed with his community's strong cultural traditions.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Depressing
Nihilism isn't always negative; it can be freeing, rejecting pressures to find meaning.
She embraced nihilism, feeling liberated from societal expectations.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Anti-Social
Nihilism doesn't require action against society; it's a personal belief about life's lack of intrinsic value.
Despite his nihilism, he still participates in social rituals out of respect for others.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Misconceptions
Some cultures see nihilism as taboo or too radical due to its rejection of widely-held values.
His nihilistic views often clashed with his community's strong cultural traditions.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Depressing
Nihilism isn't always negative; it can be freeing, rejecting pressures to find meaning.
She embraced nihilism, feeling liberated from societal expectations.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Anti-Social
Nihilism doesn't require action against society; it's a personal belief about life's lack of intrinsic value.
Despite his nihilism, he still participates in social rituals out of respect for others.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Misconceptions
Some cultures see nihilism as taboo or too radical due to its rejection of widely-held values.
His nihilistic views often clashed with his community's strong cultural traditions.
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Video examples
Robin Ince: Science...
"The more the universe seems comprehensible, the more it seems pointless." Now for some people, that seems to lead to an idea of nihilism. But for me, it doesn't. That is a wonderful thing. I'm glad the universe is pointless. It means if I get to the end of my life,
Video examples
Words worth knowing from...
others no nothing is amaz used by Mary Norris it was an error for no nothing ISM which is in a erican political party at 1850s that was conservative and anti-immigration sound familiar but she suggested using it as a synonym for nihilism which i think is great cuz
Video examples
Robin Ince: Science...
"The more the universe seems comprehensible, the more it seems pointless." Now for some people, that seems to lead to an idea of nihilism. But for me, it doesn't. That is a wonderful thing. I'm glad the universe is pointless. It means if I get to the end of my life,
Video examples
Words worth knowing from...
others no nothing is amaz used by Mary Norris it was an error for no nothing ISM which is in a erican political party at 1850s that was conservative and anti-immigration sound familiar but she suggested using it as a synonym for nihilism which i think is great cuz
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Sharon Salzberg
American Author
The middle way is a view of life that avoids the extreme of misguided grasping born of believing there is something we can find, or buy, or cling to that will not change. And it avoids the despair and nihilism born from the mistaken belief that nothing matters, that all is meaningless.
Quote examples
Sam Harris
American Author
Nearly half of the American population is eagerly anticipating the end of the world. This dewy-eyed nihilism provides absolutely no incentive to build a sustainable civilization. Many of these people are lunatics, but they are not the lunatic fringe.
Quote examples
Karyn Kusama
American Director
Horror, almost better than any of the other genres, pits the will to live against the will toward nihilism. I just think that's worth exploring. I don't know what is more important, actually, to explore than that very dynamic.
Quote examples
Michael Shermer
Writer
Scientists are skeptics. It's unfortunate that the word 'skeptic' has taken on other connotations in the culture involving nihilism and cynicism. Really, in its pure and original meaning, it's just thoughtful inquiry.
Quote examples
Albert Camus
French Philosopher
The modern mind is in complete disarray. Knowledge has stretched itself to the point where neither the world nor our intelligence can find any foot-hold. It is a fact that we are suffering from nihilism.
Quote examples
Tom Burke
I feel like an expressionist nihilist deep in my heart. And I think nihilism can stop the wheel from going around, around, around, around, around - saying the same thing, reacting the same way.
Quote examples
Manu Chao
Spanish Musician
For me, the more I think about the problems of the world, I feel I have to be positive. I wouldn't like to fall into cynicism or nihilism. That's not in my nature.
Quote examples
Alain Badiou
French Philosopher
Liberal capitalism is not at all the Good of humanity. Quite the contrary; it is the vehicle of savage, destructive nihilism.
Quote examples
Michael Tubbs
American Politician
My father has taught me not to succumb to nihilism, and my mother has taught me the value of hard work and determination.
Quote examples
Leonard Baskin
American Artist
I think there is an element of nihilism about, but I don't think most artists feel their work is meaningless.
Quote examples
Sharon Salzberg
American Author
The middle way is a view of life that avoids the extreme of misguided grasping born of believing there is something we can find, or buy, or cling to that will not change. And it avoids the despair and nihilism born from the mistaken belief that nothing matters, that all is meaningless.
Quote examples
Sam Harris
American Author
Nearly half of the American population is eagerly anticipating the end of the world. This dewy-eyed nihilism provides absolutely no incentive to build a sustainable civilization. Many of these people are lunatics, but they are not the lunatic fringe.
Quote examples
Karyn Kusama
American Director
Horror, almost better than any of the other genres, pits the will to live against the will toward nihilism. I just think that's worth exploring. I don't know what is more important, actually, to explore than that very dynamic.
Quote examples
Michael Shermer
Writer
Scientists are skeptics. It's unfortunate that the word 'skeptic' has taken on other connotations in the culture involving nihilism and cynicism. Really, in its pure and original meaning, it's just thoughtful inquiry.
Quote examples
Albert Camus
French Philosopher
The modern mind is in complete disarray. Knowledge has stretched itself to the point where neither the world nor our intelligence can find any foot-hold. It is a fact that we are suffering from nihilism.
Quote examples
Tom Burke
I feel like an expressionist nihilist deep in my heart. And I think nihilism can stop the wheel from going around, around, around, around, around - saying the same thing, reacting the same way.
Quote examples
Manu Chao
Spanish Musician
For me, the more I think about the problems of the world, I feel I have to be positive. I wouldn't like to fall into cynicism or nihilism. That's not in my nature.
Quote examples
Alain Badiou
French Philosopher
Liberal capitalism is not at all the Good of humanity. Quite the contrary; it is the vehicle of savage, destructive nihilism.
Quote examples
Michael Tubbs
American Politician
My father has taught me not to succumb to nihilism, and my mother has taught me the value of hard work and determination.
Quote examples
Leonard Baskin
American Artist
I think there is an element of nihilism about, but I don't think most artists feel their work is meaningless.
Example 1 of 10
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