Nihilism is the belief that life has no meaning and the world is inhospitable, leading to despair and the view that life is not worth living.
True world theories, such as Christianity and Platonism, share a metaphysical division between the natural and supernatural worlds, presenting this world as a place of exile.
Deep dives
Pessimistic Evaluation of Life and the Advent of Nihilism
Nietzsche describes nihilism as the conviction that life has no meaning and the world is inhospitable to our hopes and values. This sentiment of despair leads to the belief that life is not worth living. Nietzsche argues that this nihilistic position is antithetical to life and a sign of decline. He explains why nihilism has become prevalent in the modern West and how it represents the ultimate logical conclusion of dominant worldviews.
True World Theories and their Pessimistic Outlook
True world theories, such as Plato's philosophy and Christianity, posit the existence of a perfect reality beyond this flawed earthly existence. These worldviews give meaning to life by presenting it as a journey towards redemption, a true world, or heaven. Nietzsche argues that these worldviews, although different in details, share a metaphysical division between the natural and supernatural worlds, depicting this world as a place of exile. He highlights the close connection between Christianity and Platonism.
Shadows of God and Post-Christian True World Theories
After the decline of monotheistic beliefs, Nietzsche predicts that true world theories would continue to thrive. However, instead of positing transcendental redemption, these post-Christian true world philosophies focus on earthly redemption in this life. Ideologies like Fascism, Socialism, and Communism offer utopian visions of a redeemed society, promising happiness and salvation through state control and social engineering. Other contemporary movements, such as radical environmentalism and transhumanism, seek to create utopias through different means. Moreover, the myth of arrival attracts many, believing that they will one day reach a turning point where all problems vanish and they enter a personal utopia.
In 1888, the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote: “What I relate is the history of the next two centuries. I describe what is coming, what can no longer come differently: the advent of nihilism.” Nietzsche, The Will to Power Nihilism is the conviction that there is no meaning to life, that the world is inhospitable to […]
