The word nihilism is familiar to many people, but only a few know its true meaning. Literally translated, nihilists are “nothing” from the Latin language. From here you can understand who nihilists are, that is, people in a certain subculture and movement who deny norms, ideals and generally accepted norms. Such people can often be found in the crowd or among creative individuals with unconventional thinking.
Nihilists are widespread everywhere; in numerous literary publications and sources of information they are spoken of as a complete denial, a special state of mind and a social and moral phenomenon. But historians say that for each era and time period, nihilists and the concept of nihilism denoted slightly different trends and concepts. Few people know, for example, that Nietzsche was a nihilist, as do a large number of famous writers.
Nihilists, who are they?
The word nihilism comes from the Latin language, where nihil translates as “nothing.” It follows that a nihilist is a person who is in the stage of complete denial of concepts, norms and traditions imposed by society; in addition, he may exhibit a negative attitude towards some and even all aspects of social life. Each cultural and historical era implied a special manifestation of nihilism.
History of origin
For the first time, people encountered such a cultural trend as nihilism back in the Middle Ages, then nihilism was presented as a special teaching. Its first representative was Pope Alexander III in 1179. There is also a false version of the doctrine of nihilism, which was attributed to the scholastic Peter, this semblance of a subculture denied the humanity of Christ.
Later, nihilism also touched Western culture, for example, in Germany it was called the term Nihilismus; it was first used by the writer F. G. Jacobi, who later became known as a philosopher. Some philosophers attribute the emergence of nihilism to the crisis of Christianity, accompanied by denial and protests. Nietzsche was also a nihilist, recognizing the flow as an awareness of the inconsistency and even illusory nature of the Christian supermundane God, as well as the idea of progress.
Expert opinion
Victor Brenz
Psychologist and self-development expert
Nihilists have always been based on several statements, for example, there is no substantiated proof of a higher power, creator and ruler, there is also no objective morality in society, as well as truths in life, and no human action can be preferable to another.
Varieties
As mentioned earlier, the meaning of the word nihilist in different times and eras could be slightly different, but in any case it was about a person’s denial of objectivity, the moral principles of society, traditions and norms. As the doctrine of nihilism emerged and developed, its modifications over the course of eras and different cultures, today experts distinguish several types of nihilism, namely:
- worldview philosophical position that doubts or completely denies generally accepted values, morals, ideals and norms, as well as culture;
- mereological nihilism, which denies objects consisting of particles;
- metaphysical nihilism, which considers the presence of objects in reality to be completely unnecessary;
- epistemological nihilism, which completely denies any teachings and knowledge;
- legal nihilism, that is, the denial of human duties in active or passive manifestations, the same denial of established laws, norms and rules by the state;
- Moral nihilism, namely a metaethical idea that denies moral and immoral aspects in life and society.
Based on all types of nihilism, we can conclude that people with such concepts and principles deny any norms, stereotypes, morals and rules. According to most experts and specialists, this is the most controversial and sometimes conflicting ideological position that exists, but does not always receive approval from society and psychologists.
History of the origin of the term “nihilism”
Thanks to Turgenev, the concept of nihilism became widespread, but he did not coin this term. There is an assumption that Ivan Sergeevich borrowed it from N.I. Nadezhin, who in his publication used it to negatively characterize new literary and philosophical movements.
Nevertheless, it was after the dissemination of the novel “Fathers and Sons” that the term received socio-political overtones and began to be widely used.
It must also be said that the literal translation of this word does not convey the content of this concept. Representatives of the movement were not at all devoid of ideals. There is an assumption that the author, by creating the image of Bazarov, expresses condemnation of the revolutionary democratic movement. At the same time, Turgenev says that his novel is directed against the aristocracy.
So, the term “nihilism” was originally intended as a synonym for the word “revolution”. However, the word gained such popularity that a seminarian who preferred studying at the university and abandoned a spiritual career, or a girl who chose her husband at the behest of her heart, and not at the behest of her relatives, could consider herself a nihilist.
Preferences of nihilists
In fact, a modern nihilist is a person based on spiritual minimalism and a special theory of mindfulness. The preferences of nihilists are based on the denial of any meanings, rules, norms, social rules, traditions and morality. Such people do not tend to worship any rulers; they do not recognize authorities, do not believe in higher powers, and deny laws and public demands.
Do you consider yourself a nihilist?
Not really
Psychologists note that nihilism is actually a close movement to realism, but at the same time it is based solely on a factual basis. This is a kind of skepticism, thinking at a critical point, but in the form of an extended philosophical interpretation. Experts also note the reasons for the emergence of nihilism - a heightened sense of self-preservation and human egoism; nihilists recognize only the material, denying the spiritual.
How to communicate with such people
People who deny everything are not always pleasant interlocutors. Typically, a nihilistic interlocutor demonstrates a wry smile, obvious distrust of the speaker, ironic behavior, and disrespect for someone else’s point of view.
It is worth building communication with such a person:
- Never fall for his provocations or manipulations.
- Remain calm and in control of the situation.
- Try not to copy your interlocutor, not to tease him, even if you really want to do this.
- If a tense situation arises in a conversation, try to cope with it with the help of a sense of humor.
- Adequately assess your own potential, do not allow a nihilist to sow doubts or self-doubt in your soul.
- Do not give unsolicited advice, and if a nihilist is interested in the opinion of the interlocutor, then give it in the most neutral or optimistic manner possible.
- There is no need to try to convince a person, start reading morals to him, appealing to his conscience.
- Try to treat the nihilist condescendingly and with understanding. There is no need to be like him; it is much more productive to find an approach and common ground together.
The main task that needs to be achieved when communicating with a nihilist is to find a compromise solution, even if it is difficult.
What life hacks do you use when communicating with nihilists? Tell us about them in the comments.
Nihilists in literature
A well-known literary work that touches on the concept of nihilism is the story “Nihilist” from the author Sofia Kovalevskaya about the Russian revolutionary movement. The denunciation of “nihilism” in the form of crude caricature can be traced in such well-known literary works as “The Cliff” by Goncharov, “On Knives” by Leskov, “The Troubled Sea” by Pisemsky, “The Haze” by Klyushnikov, “The Fracture” and “The Abyss” by Markevich and many other works .
"Fathers and Sons"
Nihilists in Russian literature are, first of all, the memorable heroes from Turgenev’s books, for example, the reflective nihilist Bazarov, and Sitnikov and Kukushkin followed his ideology. Bazarov’s atypical ideological position can already be seen in dialogues and disputes with Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, showing different attitudes towards the common people. In the book “Fathers and Sons” the nihilist shows a pronounced denial of art and literature.
Nietzsche
It is also known that Nietzsche was a nihilist; his nihilism consisted in the devaluation of high values. A philosopher and philologist, Nietzsche connected human nature and values, but immediately emphasized that man himself devalues everything. The famous philosopher insisted that compassion is a destructive quality, even when it comes to loved ones. His nihilism is nothing more than the idea of a superman and a Christian ideal that is free in every sense.
Dostoevsky
In the works of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky there are also nihilistic characters. In the writer’s understanding, a nihilist is a type of tragic thinker, a rebel and a denier of social norms, as well as an opponent of God himself. If we consider the work “Demons,” the character Shatov, Stavrogin and Kirillov became a nihilist. This also includes Dostoevsky’s book “Crime and Punishment,” where nihilism reached the brink of murder.
Nihilism before Fathers and Sons
As mentioned above, the term itself became widespread after the novel “Fathers and Sons” was published. In this work, the nihilist is Evgeny Bazarov. He had followers, but more on that later. It was after the publication of the novel that the term “nihilism” spread. Before this, such ideas were called “negative trends” in magazines, and their representatives were called “whistlers.”
For opponents of the social trend, a nihilist is one who sought to destroy moral principles and promoted immoral principles.
What kind of nihilist is he today?
Many philosophers are inclined to think that modern man himself is already a nihilist to some extent, although the modern trend of nihilism has already branched into other subspecies. Many people, without even knowing about the essence of nihilism, throughout their lives sail under the sail of a ship that is called nihilism. A modern nihilist is a person who does not recognize any values, generally accepted norms and morals, and does not bow to any will.
Causes
According to psychologists, nihilism is a defensive reaction of the psyche. And like many other problems, it begins in childhood.
For example, overprotection and an authoritarian model of upbringing can provoke distrust and lack of acceptance of oneself, the world, and parents. In such conditions, aggression, coldness, and anger easily arise.
And since a person is a priori a social being and needs other people, their support and recognition, a contradiction, an internal conflict, is kindled in the mind.
List of famous nihilists
To provide a clear example of behavior, experts conducted research and then compiled a list of the most memorable personalities from different eras who promoted nihilism.
Famous nihilists list:
- Nechaev Sergei Gennadievich - Russian revolutionary and author of the "Catechism of a Revolutionary";
- Erich Fromm is a German philosopher, sociologist and psychologist who examines the term nihilism;
- Wilhelm Reich - Austrian and American psychologist, the only student of Freud who analyzed nihilism;
- Nietzsche is a nihilist who denied the existence of material and spiritual values.
- Søren Kierkegaard is a nihilist and Danish religious philosopher and writer.
- O. Spengler - propagated the idea of the decline of European culture and forms of consciousness.
Based on all the interpretations and movements, it is difficult to clearly characterize the essence of nihilism. In each era and time period, nihilism proceeded differently, denying either religion, the world, humanity, or authorities.
Kinds
Types of nihilism in modern society:
- social is the denial of norms, morality, rules, stereotypes;
- legal is the denial of laws, the regulatory framework of society;
- moral nihilism or ethical is the denial of morality and morality due to the inability to justify the evil and injustice of the whole world;
- cultural is the negation of culture, the creation of subcultures;
- youthful or demonstrative nihilism is the desire of a teenager to express himself, to stand out from the “gray mass”;
- mereological is the negation of something whole, unified.
There are other types of nihilism, for example, political, cosmic, existential. You can name even more types, the essence is one – denial, non-acceptance. Only the subject of negation changes. A common feature of all forms and types of nihilism is a rejection of the norms accepted in society.
Separately, it is worth noting positive nihilism. In short, its essence is this: we are all going to die anyway, so let’s have fun, enjoy ourselves and live the way we want. After death, it won't matter what you did right or wrong, so why not give up all these rules and regulations right now?
Attitude to the outside world
Throughout the novel, the author demonstrates Bazarov’s attitude to many life values. The main character does not believe in love, he looks at women only as living beings. Love for Bazarov is an absurd nonsense that romantics came up with.
Bazarov expresses a negative attitude towards nature. For him, it is just a workshop in which the main thing is the human worker.
Evgeniy believes that science is much more important than creativity. This is how Bazarov’s position regarding art is expressed. According to him, Raphael is not worth a penny.
Bazarov did not deny everything around him, but only what did not bring specific benefits to humans: nature, art, love. Science and medicine were of great importance in Eugene’s life, to which he devoted most of his time.
