The view that life has no meaning is called existential nihilism.
Understanding Existential Nihilism
Existential nihilism is a philosophical position asserting that life has no intrinsic meaning or value. From this perspective, a single human life, or even the entire human species, is considered insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe, without any inherent purpose, and unlikely to fundamentally alter the totality of existence. This outlook suggests that there are no objective values, purposes, or truths that can provide meaning to human life.
Key Characteristics of Existential Nihilism
This philosophical stance is often characterized by several core beliefs:
- Absence of Inherent Purpose: It posits that life does not come with a pre-assigned purpose or ultimate goal.
- Cosmic Insignificance: Humanity is seen as a tiny, fleeting blip in the vast, indifferent cosmos, without any special status or significance.
- Lack of Objective Values: Moral, ethical, and aesthetic values are considered subjective human constructs, rather than objective truths inherent in the universe.
Existential Nihilism vs. Related Concepts
While existential nihilism focuses on the meaninglessness of life, it is often discussed alongside, and sometimes confused with, other philosophical ideas:
| Concept | Core Idea |
|---|---|
| Existential Nihilism | The belief that life, the universe, and human existence have no inherent meaning or purpose. |
| Nihilism (General) | A broader philosophical stance that rejects all religious and moral principles, often believing that life is meaningless. |
| Absurdism | A philosophy that acknowledges the inherent conflict between humanity's search for meaning and the universe's ultimate lack of it. It suggests embracing this conflict rather than seeking a solution. |
| Existentialism | A philosophy that, while acknowledging the lack of inherent meaning, emphasizes that individuals are free and responsible for creating their own meaning and purpose in life through their choices and actions. |
Understanding these distinctions helps to clarify the specific nature of existential nihilism, which is primarily concerned with the absence of intrinsic meaning and value in existence itself.
