nihilism

Nihilism is a philosophical position that holds life lacks objective meaning, value, or intrinsic purpose. It is often accompanied by skepticism toward knowledge, truth, and moral claims, and by rejection of commonly accepted social or political norms. Nihilism can refer to a broad attitude as well as specific doctrines.

Major strands include existential nihilism (no inherent meaning to life), moral nihilism (the absence of objective moral values), epistemological nihilism (doubt about knowledge), and political nihilism (rejection of political structures). Some writers distinguish nihilism as the general doubt about meaning or value from more specific doctrinal forms.

The term arose in 19th-century Russia and spread in Western philosophy. Friedrich Nietzsche argued that the erosion of transcendent values could lead to nihilism, the "death of God" leaving a valuation crisis. Later thinkers have sought ways to cope with or overcome nihilism, or to interpret it as a cultural mood.

Nihilism has been associated with cynicism and pessimism, but some philosophers view it as a prompt to create personal or shared meanings beyond traditional authorities. Critics challenge its coherence or practical consequence, while others connect nihilism with existentialist or absurdist responses.