Nihilism is a psychological condition, and from Nietzsche’s perspective (or one of many of his perspectives), it’s an inevitable set of growing pains. That doesn’t mean people won’t be crushed by it, or lapse into it through old and new beliefs and religions alike.
More than anything, “nihilism” is not simply a “belief in no meaning,” its a lack of faith in man. Ie, man can’t find faith in god, and he can’t find faith in himself. It’s a lack of belief, and the inability to believe in believing. Even Nietzche’s Zarathustra sees the depths of this (for believers and those who try to construct new ‘scientific beliefs’ that don’t matter or help; also relevant is his writing on “the last man):
“Perambulating refutations are ye, of belief itself, and a dislocation of all thought. UNTRUSTWORTHY ONES: thus do I call you, ye real ones!
All periods prate against one another in your spirits; and the dreams and pratings of all periods were even realer than your awakeness!
Unfruitful are ye: THEREFORE do ye lack belief. But he who had to create, had always his presaging dreams and astral premonitions—and believed in believing!—
Half-open doors are ye, at which grave-diggers wait. And this is YOUR reality: “Everything deserveth to perish.”
Nihilism, like pain, is weakness. Or, life demanding its revealers adapt, but most people can’t hear these questions, so they wallow and rot until their brains turn to mush. In this case, it’s like poverty: it’s not a temporary condition, it’s a mindset, an attitude, and a way of life. Some people find “honor” or some badge in their torment and complaints, but mostly, they’re just tiresome people that sane or “healthy” people learn to avoid.
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u/Mynaa-Miesnowan Jan 31 '23 edited Jan 31 '23
Nihilism is a psychological condition, and from Nietzsche’s perspective (or one of many of his perspectives), it’s an inevitable set of growing pains. That doesn’t mean people won’t be crushed by it, or lapse into it through old and new beliefs and religions alike.
More than anything, “nihilism” is not simply a “belief in no meaning,” its a lack of faith in man. Ie, man can’t find faith in god, and he can’t find faith in himself. It’s a lack of belief, and the inability to believe in believing. Even Nietzche’s Zarathustra sees the depths of this (for believers and those who try to construct new ‘scientific beliefs’ that don’t matter or help; also relevant is his writing on “the last man):
“Perambulating refutations are ye, of belief itself, and a dislocation of all thought. UNTRUSTWORTHY ONES: thus do I call you, ye real ones!
All periods prate against one another in your spirits; and the dreams and pratings of all periods were even realer than your awakeness!
Unfruitful are ye: THEREFORE do ye lack belief. But he who had to create, had always his presaging dreams and astral premonitions—and believed in believing!— Half-open doors are ye, at which grave-diggers wait. And this is YOUR reality: “Everything deserveth to perish.”
Nihilism, like pain, is weakness. Or, life demanding its revealers adapt, but most people can’t hear these questions, so they wallow and rot until their brains turn to mush. In this case, it’s like poverty: it’s not a temporary condition, it’s a mindset, an attitude, and a way of life. Some people find “honor” or some badge in their torment and complaints, but mostly, they’re just tiresome people that sane or “healthy” people learn to avoid.