Nihilism - Friedrich Nietzsche’s Warning to The World

[@Eternalised]

*"What does nihilism mean? That the highest values devaluate themselves. The goal is lacking; the answer is lacking to our Why?"* - Nietzsche Become a Patron (exclusive content): www.patreon.com/eternalised KZbin Member (exclusive content): kzbin.info/door/qos1tl0RntucGGtPXNxkkAjoin Official Merch: eternalised.creator-spring.com Donate a Coffee: ko-fi.com/eternalised Transcript and artwork gallery: eternalisedofficial.com/2021/10/15/nihilism-friedrich-nietzsche/ Thanks to my Patrons: Ryon Brashear, Jeanette, john cochran, Jay B, Reuben Markham, Evangelos Barakos, Mr X

[@globalnomad1221]

He also had a lot to say about rising feminism….he was right

[@MLennan-io2kz]

Loved the video. Especially when his views are often misinterpreted, it is great to see someone get it right. Thank you! I was wondering if you could do a full video breaking down cosmicism and the Cthulhu mythos. Thanks

[@stratcat3216]

Value life, value relationships, value creativity.

[@seanwieland9763]

One of the best on Nietzsche’s concept of Nihilism that I’ve seen! Thank you.

[@seanwieland9763]

@@globalnomad1221 egalitarianism as a whole is a cancer.

[@haziqshah3188]

I don’t get why people always call Nietzsche a nihilist. Yes he elaborated on nihilism clearly but I always see him as a realist constantly fighting nihilistic tendencies. It’s normal to see the world as a meaningless place when you’re too smart, but no one’s ever smart enough to be able to understand everything. Nietzsche is too smart for his own good.

[@MrBeGorda]

well.. as the video says, he sees nihilism necessary for the construction for true values.. that's obviously far away from saying he's a nihilist but well.. I guess people misinterpreted Nietzsche in every possible way

[@quentonhorton1053]

Many have not read the work for themselves thus fail to grapple the ideas put forth by Nietzsche and other Existentialist. As Sartre writes in his defense of Existentialism many believe the ideology to be a fad in cafes; or worse (interesting my own interpretation) a way for an "artist" to explain their mood.

[@andyappleton3353]

I agree that being more intelligent than the majority comes with a plethora of difficulties for any person in a given society, but with Nietzsche, he is a nihilist because of his insistence upon the concept that humanity is inherit only to itself. His teachings/philosophies maintain countenance to the concept that all beliefs that man has ever fathomed are inherit only to mankind. In Nietzsche's mind, religion/spirituality are not truths. They are merely creations of humanity so as to provide meaning to an obviously, meaningless existence. This idea is of itself, the definition of nihilism. As such, Nietzsche is a paradox of his own concept. Because he divorces himself (and humanity) from an intrinsic value, he reduces the state of humanity to an extremely intelligent entity equal to that of any other living thing. There is no natural right and wrong as spiritual truths. There is only right and wrong as to benefit the self and the species. This makes sense to any thinking person who looks around them and realizes that they are surrounded by morons. I believe what this lacks however, is the intrinsic desire of persons to do good unto others. This desire/need in people, doesn't exist in nature, but does exist in humanity. I don't think it wise to simply dismiss this as psychological training due to the indoctrination of religion/spirituality. This psychological/spiritual need within our species transcends culture and time. I don't believe it wise to either dismiss it nor blindly follow it without question.

[@haziqshah3188]

@@andyappleton3353 I can't agree with you more on your explanation of his philosophy. But don't you agree (as I believe you do because you pointed on his paradox), that what drove him crazy was the contradiction between his mind (his philosophy) and his heart (his obvious yearning for meaning; which mostly can be heard throughout his writings). What makes me truly believe that he wasn't a true nihilist is that he didn't commit suicide, and that indicates that he had still held a little, even if just a shred of meaning/value to his existence. I believe one of the best example of a nihilist ever existed was Osamu Dazai, but even he, in his works, was constantly searching for meaning. And your last point on religion; that it should neither be completely agreed nor dismissed is truly spot on. One of the greatest mistake man ever made was to separate spiritual truths from philosophy, reducing philosophy to only the material. What wisdom can ever be derived from only the material? And if there is any, is the amount of wisdom derived from the material enough to help us strive as Men? A world where Materialism is the main ideological doctrine spells the end of human wisdom. Thus concludes Nietzche paradoxical love of wisdom and his materialist/nihilist philosophy.

[@erigor11]

Because he was a nihilist...

[@bobcabot]

it is kinda funny how the world has turned Nietzsche into a Nihilist: like turning the messenger into the message...

[@TH.417]

People fear what he has to say so they purposely misconstrue his message.

[@milascave2]

@@TH.417 To be fair, he was one when he was young, and published from that point of view. But he changed his mind later, a lot. Still, he uses the word "Nihilism" as he does "decadent" to describe so many different things that one does get confused as to what he means by the term. But I do like his conclusion to be life arising above all.

[@stevepowsinger733]

Yes, they stop at “the death of God” and do not see that he was proclaiming the obvious. Even then, in the 19th century, religion was unraveling.

[@geoffreynhill2833]

Bullseye!

[@philyeary8809]

He was a sad dualist.

[@raskolnikovman936]

Fantastic breakdown on nihilism. I never thought of the 'last man' as nihilistic, its frightening how close to modernity that is. A true prophet Nietzsche was.

[@josephedwards4325]

A common problem in the understanding of Nietzsche. Nihilism is not "his" theoretical position/ or not, as others claim. He was very clear in his writings, it is an illness, logically following the Death of God and the rise of the Sciences.

[@seanwieland9763]

“Eat the bugs. Live in the pod.” 💯

[@Igneous01]

@@josephedwards4325 Because we as man, have become Gods. If you were to explain to the earliest humans what we can do now, they would look upon us as Gods. It is not the death of God, only that God has become us, and God is still Human. No one questions Jesus intentions of Love and Forgiveness. But did Jesus grow up in a broken home? Was Jesus sexually abused? Was Jesus bullied? And to this, we are met with silence. We realize that the simple messages of the Bible cannot predict or explain all choices that exist in this life. Do you kill an innocent man, woman, or even family, because another man holds a gun to your child's head? Do you save your child, or 3 other children from an oncoming train? We are God, and we have decreed that this experiment called existence is a failure. For even the Gods are human, and the Gods will destroy themselves out of existence.

[@craigharrison1274]

People will often call you cynical for pointing out the falseness in modern society but I find it far more cynical to believe you need to embrace this falseness in order to survive and going against the grain when necessary actually implies far more existential faith.

[@philyeary8809]

@@craigharrison1274 great insights.

[@guitaoist]

Alot of people think “Nietzsche was a nihilist” but his whole Zarathustra was about trying to overcome the nausea of nihilism. His notes also clarify that he criticized nihilism, “A nihilist is a man who believes the world as it is ought NOT to be, but the world as it OUGHT to be, doesn’t exist: a contradiction.”

[@Morg8685]

the last part is really confusing, please help me to understand it--->the world as it OUGHT to be, doesn’t exist: a contradiction. why is it a contradiction?

[@josephedwards4325]

@@Morg8685 It's not, really. Although I'd like to see the source of that quote, as it doesn't make much sense to me, either. Although, reading Hegel, (who wrote that "contradiction moves the world") was clearly an influence. Being an adversary of Hegel, Nietzsche believed Hegel was wrong to leave the horizon of history closed. But as Hegel himself wrote, it is mans unhappiness with the world which leads him to change it. The Nihilist is thus a figure even in Hegels work, as the one who, seeing that the world is not fit for purpose, seeks to change it. And that is the story of human history. Negation of the given circumstances which seem to continuously contradict mans wishes to be free and happy.

[@guadalupe8589]

The quote I found is a bit different: "A nihilist is a man who judges of the world as it is that it ought not to be, and of the world as it ought to be that it does not exist" My take is a nihilist not only judges the world and says it shouldn't be this or that, but also says, and the way the world should be does not exist. That leaves nothing, nothing for a society to plant its feet, to grow and thrive from

[@Morg8685]

@@guadalupe8589 i consider my self a nihilist but i still think that we should make most optimal morals and way of life for the benefit of as many and as merit worthy people, i think that a better future can be made for future generations. even though existence for me at least seems like a clockwork prison with its restrictions and me being its unwilling participant, even though it seems like people just throw children into this meatgrinder that we call life. i still think that through hard team work , through sweat and blood, a better world is achievable in which we can enjoy the journey of life. so does this make me a nihilist or an absurdist or an existentialist? cos i do acknowledge that at least as far as i can think and see, that existence is unnecessary but still strive to help people around me.

[@josephedwards4325]

@@guadalupe8589 Yes that is the quote I've seen before. And all that I thought about it was that, surely that just makes the Nihilist the true agent of historical change? If the world is not right, Hegel says, the unhappy Consciousness seeks to change it - and that is the story of human history. And if someone has a view about how the world ought to be, are they not an idealist? For me, if the way things ought to be don't exist, you only have yourself to blame if you don't bring them about. Whereas if you say that the world is not right but there is nothing we can do, that, for me, would be akin to Christianity, or other pessimisms.

[@sucapizda]

Nietz said we strayed away from the basic values and focus on the grandiose ones. How true. If every one focussed on the simple values like caring for the sick, or say sweeping a dirty street and picking up garbage how much happier and pleasant the world would be in general. I think those simple duties can bring the most satisfaction and purpose to life as they achieve instant results and a instant impact on the world around you at the moment.

[@tomdalsin5175]

The question then is ... is that not "the last man" problem?

[@Fnordathoth]

@@tomdalsin5175 It's not a "last man" problem if the goal is to lift everyone including self to a "better" standard of living and working to eliminate suffering. The act itself is a will to power, and brings joy as one is actively engaged in a self created purpose. The last man problem stems from complacency in the face of adversity among other things, example: "I can't do anything about it so I'll just take what small joy I can from this insignificant thing and not concern myself with it." Of course this is just my interpretation.

[@tomdalsin5175]

​@@Fnordathoth All life has suffering. Not all life has joy. Suffering is the one thing which cannot be disentangled from life. It cannot be eliminated. For my interpretation, modern society is so safe, so insulated from the brutality of nature, that it has made many people ignorant and complacent. This safety is building "the last man": selfish dopamine addicts living in eternal childhood, and whimsically sell their dignity for likes or other vanity. They mock morality itself while they idly spread discord, pretending to have "grandiose values". Rather than eliminating suffering, focus on the strength to stand tall against it. Face it, at least until the day you can pass that torch to another. The ubermesche is heroic, and heroic beings see, acknowledge, and challenge the inevitable darkness. They do so admirably, and they instill courage (the torch) in others. That courage is a gift, a vital ingredient of the ubermenche, of the master, and of life affirmation. Such values are truly primitive, having been vital since at least Humanity's earliest records. I actually agree with @LuckyGoose to some extent, but I feel that the term "values" wasn't necessarily applicable to his call to action. Values is about what guides us and our behavior. Caring for the sick isn't a value per se, nor is sweeping a street. Those are activities. Values are more akin to principles, or more general ideals. To focus on just sweeping floors as a value is a preoccupation for its own sake - the last man in action. Far better to hold onto the value of "admirably maintain your habitat", to relate some of your worth as a person to your environment. If that's what Lucky Goose meant, then I agree. I wanted to clarify.

[@bettermanchannel770]

But I don't want to sweep streets, does that make me bad?

[@bettermanchannel770]

@@Fnordathoth I dig your insight

[@spittle8]

Thank you for this work of passion. I discovered Nietzsche by accident, found a copy of Human, All Too Human when I was 12 and was bored enough to thumb through it. Changed my life. For once, I was understood. Coming from a traumatic and hard upbringing, with no religious background to fall back on, Nietzsche taught me to embrace the turmoil and indifference of nature and love life. Nietzsche provided the only fully voiced and impregnable argument against nihilism that wasn't tied to a religious impulse. I found God later in life, but Nietzsche will always be my prophet. Thank you for this.

[@yourdedcat-qr7ln]

That's deep man thank you

[@deniseheupel8814]

How did you end up believing in God, after finding Nietzsche? It seems many young men follow that same path.

[@spittle8]

@@deniseheupel8814 I intuitively believed in God before Nietzsche.

[@ian12346]

@In Sterquiliniis Invenitur Probably why he believes in the sacrificial Blood God of the Jews. All good though if it makes him not at asshole to random people right?

[@spittle8]

@Agent LeMan SCH maybe you're just a midwit, bro? I understood RESSENTIMENT as age 12 and hey, still rings true lol

[@WeAreAllOneNature]

7:58 ''This world is to be transcended, and is a mere bridge to another existence.'' 8:16 ''All of Nietzsche's work has one important theme: LIFE AFFIRMATION.''

[@SiliconBong]

The Neverending Story.

[@WeAreAllOneNature]

17:20 onwards. Ubermensch (Superman) is:- * A quality in yourself that conquers nihilism (the belief that life is meaningless). * He is the meaning we should give to our lives. * Is the highest life-affirmer. * Loves his fate. * The happiest person. * Is the meaning and justification of existence. 'The Will To Power' is:- * To be master of oneself. * Is the journey of Self-realisation. * The journey of becoming who one is.

[@NRWTx]

I'm not so sure about the happy part, being happy means to have no desire at all, no will to create anything. But maybe I misunderstood you, one can be happy about being unhappy, saying yes to life even at the lowest moments

[@johngoldsworthy7135]

@@NRWTx yes agree that ‘happy’ is the wrong word. More like joy through transcendent struggle.

[@ptolem139]

The Will To Power is Nietzsche's proto-metaphysics as expounded upon by Heidegger. I think it's worth mentioning that it is a lot more than just the diagnosis of an interpersonal phenomena

[@the2ndcoming135]

When you get called the p-word, and you didn’t let your emotions show the pain, plus you avenged yourself with disturbing proficiency.

[@darkmatter4132]

happiness is for idiots rather satisfaction

[@eldonscott9]

This has brought tears into my eyes. I’m living in such despair after so many things that have happened in my life and this year brought cancer. I’ve lost my entire family and I don’t know what I’m doing each day, the suicidal ideations are suffocating. I’ll need to watch this video several more times and try to process some profound portion of it… it’s dizzying. I used to be a “christian” and that’s been the disaster that only IT can be, I’ve never heard it spoken about so insightfully, I’m grateful to hear such sanity spoken. I wish for the maker of this video to know what a gift this presentation is. I love you all. May you all be super and at peace.

[@hanskung3278]

So you are now a ubermensch?

[@4ntifreez]

you'll figure it out, you seem to be an intelligent person. stay safe and go forward

[@Ilinca6]

I would like to recommend you to read Berserk

[@just_one23]

We all share this dispair, but life also brings you many nice feels and moments. For good or bad you've been gifted with this, and there's nothing else that we know of, so don't end the only thing you truly have.

[@hanskung3278]

@@just_one23 What if God is not dead after all?

[@takeuchi5760]

"Happiness is the feeling associated with the overcoming of suffering"

[@peaceonearth351]

Sacrifice makes a lot of people happy also.

[@JohnnyMustangNY]

No it is not.. Happiness does not and cannot exist knowing that your fellow brothers and sisters are still in misery, agony and pain. Best analogy I can use here to describe this is... Letsay you are a parent and you have 2 kids. One is successful by worldly standards the other is struggling with something in their life, (like an alcohol addiction for example) You as a parent, are not happy, (Unless your completely ignorant, in which case you would be delusional as well) No. You on the other hand become concerned and are worried for the well being of the one that is having issues.. You naturally want to help or hope to elevate the one struggling to the same level of success the other one is at. Same principle really applies to everything in Life. If we are connected at a spiritual level and are said to be part of a larger Family, happiness cannot exist. Not in this world and not in the heavenly spheres. We will all arrive at this point together as a whole, not only as a human race but as Cosmic race.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Suffering is pain overtaking happierness. So...?

[@takeuchi5760]

@@JohnnyMustangNY well, then if the suffering of one of your kids (I'm using your analogy) is a suffering to you too, then when that person sorts their problems or you help them do so, then you have overcome that suffering. It's just something that resonated with me in my situation so I wrote it down, it may not work for someone else ofc. Doesn't mean it's wrong; doesn't mean it's right.

[@Zordonidas]

@@JohnnyMustangNY I'm quite happy. I don't share your view Johnny. I can be happy being conscious of others (and my own) suffering. I know perfection is impossible, so I am happy with imperfection. Is there a contradiction in this? I don't think so

[@darthxertor3617]

Amazing video. Covering such complex topics without unnecessary details and in an understandable way, only in the range of roughly 20 minutes? You have my deepest admiration.

[@cr4601]

Excellent analysis of a very relevant topic. It seems that the question of “why?” can lead us down a one way path filled with immense pain. When we no longer accept the answers that have been spoon fed to us and our perceptions seem to shatter into pieces ,we may find ourselves at what feels like a dead end. But in reaching this point, we have the opportunity to finally accept life for the way that we can actually observe it. We may find that it’s purpose is simply to live on. To live well. To thrive. The meaning of life is meaning. Connection. Something for something for something . It is what our ancestors observed so long ago. That is why life has long been referred to as a circle. It is why we are beings of symbolism. A snake chasing its tail. The loops of infinity. Expansion followed by contraction. Our breathing, our hearts beating. Expression and experience. The patterns within life help us reminisce on the past while glimpsing into the future. Ever new, yet ever familiar. And still, despite its seemingly paradoxical nature., something rather than nothing., The morals that we may have thought were lost with our former perceptions become obvious reflections of that which promotes the flourishing of life in general. What’s good is what ultimately best promotes the most life. Good is what’s most meaningful and sensible, rather than meaningless and nonsensical. Good is what reveals our connection to all else and strengthens it if only to remind us always that we are this realm and it is us. Our convenient words such as “love” and “God” are commonly adopted yet inadequate tools for labeling or defining phenomena that are far too transcendental for us to ever encapsulate with language. The best way to promote belief in such phenomena is to show them to others through various actions rather than merely telling them with words.

[@bettermanchannel770]

To become life affirming in the midst of chaos

[@FreakyEye]

Beautifully said

[@cjbernardo93]

That was one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever read

[@jackmorgan8931]

Indeed. Who, what, when, where, and how are essentially easy questions to ask...and answer. Ask "why," really pursue the answer to THAT question and voila. You will indeed end up loathing the human animal.

[@benjiusofficial]

@@jackmorgan8931 If you end up that way, you've tossed the coin and come up with nihilism. To loathe anything is a silly thing. To be in order to loathe is silly. Things are (inasmuch as you can verify) and you choose where, if at all, to set apart the 'this' from the 'that'. To fear the pain of existence is childish. It's a harsh lesson but you have to learn from it to become Ubermensch.

[@deniskobera3191]

wow, first I feel the need to express my thankfulness for your work. last summer, maybe even sooner I discovered you and watched almost all of your work, your introduction to Nietzsche was very helpful for me when reading his books, overall books actually. now after having spent pretty much already 3 years of studying Man I feel like I understand every word in your video, even though I come from Slovakia and my english is far from perfect. all of the ideas were explained as well as they could, your narrating skills are incredible and especially I thank you for not being selfish and trying to interpret it as you view it, but rather as he really meant it. It is a pleasure learning and growing with help of your videos. Keep it up!

[@marc1218]

This video is a superb piece of work; a great combination of concise, efficient, sharp exposition with a number of my favourite artworks... I feel compelled to comment. This was exactly the video I hoped to find in searching for Nietzsches warnings about nihilism at 11pm here in Scotland on a cold October night with whisky in the glass. I don’t have time any more to spend the years it takes to get to grips with this stuff. And what a coincidence you just uploaded it today. Your video makes the time I spent, feel like time well spent. Appreciate your work. Well done, subscribed and look forward to the next one 👍

[@richgreen3459]

Thanks for writing that better than I can, you took the thoughts right out my mind rather than my common cockney mouth.

[@eldonscott9]

What kind of whiskey? Cheers, brother.

[@GeorgeFarmerStudios]

Cheers to the single malt.

[@theresefournier3269]

@@richgreen3459 That was "rich"! of you! ❤️🔥💯 YAHsome even!

[@mikeklaus6618]

Are you kidding? This video is terrible.

[@afroabsurd]

thank you for doing this work and sharing to with us all. i’m currently in a graduate program to become a Professional Counselor (Mental Health Therapist) and in trying to choose my theoretical orientation I’m trying to learn as much about all facets of existentialism as possible. I definitely had a preconceived notion of what I believed nihilism to be, and this video absolutely helped to expand that understanding. thanks again.

[@BoomerSlayer21]

Never give up, never give in.

[@jayabyss377]

*My formula for greatness in a human being is amor fati: that one wants nothing to be different, not forward, not backward, not in all eternity.* - Nietzsche Overcoming nihilism 17:58

[@mikeoglen6848]

I am working on, as we speak, a Mathematical Formula which expresses just that...

[@mikeoglen6848]

@@SalfRaettele I mean a Formula which expresses those ideas, but in a Mathematical form...

[@justintorrex6676]

THIS IS ONE THE BEST MOST BRILLIANT PHILOSOPHY VIDEOS ON KZbin. LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT. THE SELECTION OF NIETZCHE FRAGMENTS ARE ON POINT. I'L LISTEN TO THE MANY MANY MORE TIMES. THANK YOU FOR SHARING.

[@charlessomerset9754]

I have always thought of Nihilism as the grain of sand in the oyster of human existence. The irritant that eventually leads to a transcendent experience of purpose. Thank you for this. Amazing overview.

[@ws6778]

Then the "pearl" is the "value" that originates from the nihilist grain of sand irritating the human existence oyster.

[@IsaiahINRI]

When you spend your whole life arguing against nihilism and then everyone remembers you as a nihilist...

[@invisuu6280]

Do the opinions of the last men really count?

[@Igneous01]

The last form of nihilism: Dark Soulism - where the linking of the flame makes no difference, the world one of excruciating pain and suffering, yet a small group of lonely travelers walk the path of the warrior into the abyss. Fear not the dark my friend, and let the feast begin.

[@yourdedcat-qr7ln]

Feasting for power?

[@lupression4457]

Feast?

[@ogrbell8297]

Praise the sun Ashen one

[@joshuaflaherty2880]

i dont think ive ever experienced such a thoughtful take on nietztche and the ubermenche... thank you.

[@richgreen3459]

Dude that was fantastic, how much do I owe you for that? You've explained how I think and feel and what the heck to do about it in an immediate way. Salute.

[@29sasha]

I am glad I found you. I shall listen to this again and again. Thank you for taking the time.

[@bishcp]

Thank you for this. I’ve been wanting to get back into Nietzsche for months, but haven’t been able to get my books from my garage. This really was great

[@Bootmahoy88]

These philosophical videos are so welcome. I’ve been listening to them more and more, as opposed to the usual mindless nonsense that reigns on KZbin, which I used to gorge myself on. These videos are helping me to use my mind. Struggling with these abstruse ideas is a salvation of sorts for me. Thankyou!

[@lilg8017]

A fleeting notion

[@thetaeater]

Around 10:30 you nailed home a connection I had been contemplating for some time. Nietzsche seemed to only have a surface level understanding of Buddhism and Vedanta and this becomes apparent when he speaks of attachment because it leads to contradictions. Not sure if you have made a video on his views of "knowledge/knowing" which he digs into in Will To Power and make him actually sound like a Vedantan!

[@geoffreynhill2833]

An informed balanced digest of a much misunderstood philosopher. Thanks.

[@jackbauer7849]

Great video! Baffles me how some people can honestly label Nietzsche a nihilist. Anyone who says Nietzsche is a nihilist obviously didn't read much Nietzsche.

[@PariahPsypomp6775]

Masterfully done! So many people stumble on Nietzche (myself included) and obfuscate what he says. You managed to pull off a clean explanation of Nihilism, the death of Christianity in the western psyche, and overcoming it in under 20 mins. You earned my sub dude!

[@Anna-jr8gu]

Great video, thanks a lot for sharing this masterpiece of literature and history.

[@artmusicliterature9859]

This was very well done! Very needy in the world right now!

[@jamesbarlow6423]

First read this in '76-'79 and after 42 years, 47 states and 13 countries, 2 or 3 professions always with an eye toward evidence for the truth of his meaning I can say he's right in all the ways most folks would wish he were not....

[@Davlavi]

This channel deserves way more views. Keep up the great videos.🙏

[@lesprilib1]

This introduction to Nietzsche's concept of "nihilism" is GREAT!

[@CharlesLamp-d5x]

Tremendous, as are all of your videos that I have seen since discovering your channel. I have read most of N., and have the books on the shelf next to me, and the analysis provided by this video would have enabled me to understand them better and faster. Time for a re-read.

[@ricanparadox]

I often feel the way the last man is described, but I also always say to myself just because nothing has purpose today, doesn't mean it will always be this way. We give purpose to ourselves, it may be difficult to find our individual purposes; because there is no one purpose but, if you can make one or find something that gives meaning, It will be all you need in that moment, and if it fails you you can always find new meaning. Rather than feel your time has been wasted, you spent it well in discovering yourself a bit more than yesterday, and likely you yourself are someone else's purpose, whether they have found you yet or not.

[@Teasehirt]

This hit me to the core - wish You ALL well on your travels.

[@_PL_]

This was an excellent treatment of the subject for such a short video. I read only a little of Nietzsche when I was young, but more recently became acquainted with The Self Overcoming of Nihilism by Keiji Nishitani, which gave me a real appreciation for how profound Nietzsche's thought really is. I will say, though, that I think he (Nietzsche) misunderstood Buddhism. A deeper dive into the subject, not just theoretically but practically, reveals that it isn't about "detaching" from everyday life, but gaining a level of insight into oneself and reality that transforms one's experience and appreciation of everyday life, such that the ordinary is seen to be (and to have always been) extraordinary. In other words, it's another avenue to realizing the Übermensch ideal.

[@chamicels]

Thank you.

[@Hunbatz_5]

He was biased about some of the aspects of Buddhism due to the limited knowledge and translations of his time, but his ultimate logical conclusion is correct, Buddhism as it appears in the canon, is life denying. "reveals that it isn't about "detaching" from everyday life, but gaining a level of insight into oneself and reality that transforms one's experience and appreciation of everyday life" You could say the same about Christianism, and still, the whole dynamic and institutional practice as in Buddhism is, mostly, life denying without a doubt.

[@fakeemail4005]

Buddhism is absolutely about detaching from everyday life, that's the whole point. "Everyday life" is a mirage, an illusion, it is a samsara to be escaped from

[@JoBlakeLisbon]

Can you give an example of a buddhist ubermensch? A lot of buddhists , including monks end up killing themselves. There is nothing in reality to strive for, to sacrifice for in buddhism. Desire and attachment are viewed as things to move beyond to attain 'enlightenment' or nirvana. It is, at it's core, an aesthetic system.

[@Illsamustache]

I’m 52 and was a lost nihilist soul until about 2 years ago. I was at an all time low and feeling suicidal, when I have a wife, 2 wonderful kids, a career, property and home, etc. Someone turned me on to The Kybalion by Three Initiates (or WWA), As A Man Thinketh by James Allen, and The Secret Teachings of All Ages by MPH. Those three books absolutely changed me forever, and I now wake up every morning thanking the Divine for every moment of this existence and every opportunity to learn. 🙂

[@marina2516]

Powerful insights from Nietzsche's,,,He was seeing in the future too,,thx a lot 🎩

[@KickTheTyrant]

The artwork you choose for these videos is top tier and worth mentioning.

[@honorladone8682]

"IF YOU'RE NOT FIRST YOUR LAST"-- Ricky Bobby

[@bonniehairston5827]

Happy accident finding this. My career of over 45yrs is at risk 3yrs early. I'll think of this as I evolve my life's meaning and values Thank you

[@kevinfoster2163]

You’re lucky to have benefits

[@austine1437]

You might be one of the single most important KZbin channels ever. Bravo.

[@fartrakht435]

This is an excellent introduction to this concept which is always used with great passion but rarely with an understanding of what it means. Individuals are quick to turn to ideologies that parasitise them in their search for meaning. As a result, instead of having a crutch that helps them organise their thinking, they have the catastrophe that Nietzsche predicted: a civilisation that turns over the very slabs on which it stands, that Hellenic-Christian construction of the divine, of morality. This surface is reversed and gives way to that violent nihilism but also to those extreme ideology that facilitate or even abrogate structured thinking for the individual. I thank you deeply for this work.

[@almalayuwiyyah2512]

he is both advocate and critic of nihilism. he sees nihilism as tool to destroyed the old belief so that his new belief post nihilism like of overman and will to power will be succeds. dude is pretty make a blueprint for new age religion and cult to succeds. the evil elite learn nietzhe and plan to destoyed the world into complete nihilism and despair so that the elite will provide new belief and new cult for the masses. somone can even claimed to be false messiah if they follow nietzhe blue print. create despair and claim to be hero/messiah. claim the world has no meaning and only him is hope and salvation. create a cult of personality post nihlism.

[@benjamincastellano8683]

Man. Your work is brilliant! Ive seen them all and I always come back to them. I wish we can talk one day. Cheers

[@gpcovenant]

Nihilism at a cultural level is a state when a system has failed but a new system has not taken its place. It’s a transition time. It is a very critical time that requires great introspection and leaders. To come out of a nihilistic time requires a culture to face the truth of what that culture has produced. Or you get the USA where instead of the society facing its failings that lead to its current state it completely avoids it and instead descends into a culture war that on the surface looks important but if you scratch at it even a little you see it’s a distraction. In avoiding that rage and stress increase exponentially the longer that avoidance lasts until something must give, but when it happens this way it most likely will lead to a very dire authoritarianism taking its place as it tries to force a new value system on the culture to revive it. At an individual level nihilism is experienced as state of depression, where the individuals view of oneself and/or the world has failed but the individual does not know how to replace that. Once again it takes deep introspection to revive one’s life in a positive way.

[@hannan2619]

This is such a great video!

[@Marquisla]

How do I find happiness in my life? I’m miserable just about every second of my life, nothing feels real, meaningful, and I can’t find motivation to make music anymore, I’m so desperate to feel something and distract myself that I’ve become an alcoholic and I smoke weed and sometimes do other drugs just to fill the time. I try meditation, I try thinking positively, I try ignoring nihilism, but all my attempts are failures. I don’t want to be alive, but I don’t want my existence to just end, and it will end regardless of what I do.

[@croutendo2050]

More drugs maybe?

[@musiccer7446]

Instead of fearing it, embrace it. First, stop smoking weed. Weed is known to have effects of depersonalisation and depression on people, I am a clinical psychologist trust me, I know it’s hard. Embrace nihilism, you are not bound by any divine rules and you have no objective purpose. You are the master of your life and you forge your future. Don’t search for meaning outside but give yourself your own purpose.

[@talibanairport1544]

@@musiccer7446 Indeed. Embrace it. Good response imo.

[@Calibuc86]

Forgive yourself and moving forward realizing how special you are and be beautiful

[@ffwingman329]

This is an excellent video. I’m starting my day with it and it’s done a great job getting my cogs turning. Thank you for the effort in putting all this together. It is appreciated.

[@Jabranalibabry]

A very detailed breakdown and beautifully done, bravo. I think these things are hard for people to digest which is why I'm surprised to the view count but please don't let that dishearten you, brother.

[@anthonymedina583]

Un hermoso vídeo! Gracias!

[@Ikigai-qgazytsidai]

I am really lucky and glad to come across this video. I have been interested in Nihilism for quite a while. The whole video is done in an incredible way. Would absolutely love to see more content!💜💜💜

[@craig5322]

I *did* find this video valuable. Thank you. It was challenging in the best way.

[@kirkgoshert7876]

The best 20 minutes I have spent in a while. Very well done.

[@fleurrose5726]

Excellent presentation 😊

[@martinaseidel3316]

this was pretty cool, i enjoyed hearing you pull this together. i've always connected with nietzsche as someone who wanted to value but wanted that to be true value, rather than something imposed by someone else. i can't say all of that very well, but i'm always trememndously sad that nietzsche is misrepresented so immensely and was used to further so many horrible things that he never said or did.

[@JordanREALLYreally]

Wonderful job, Eternalized! I actually see much of the Western philosophies you present VERY helpful in my own address to my and world suffering in conjunction with my Zen practice (which is just sitting there accepting all that arises [even the terrible bits]). It's great to connect it to a Western thinking "thing," as I am of Western origins, and sometimes I idealize too much the Eastern teachings. The issue with addressing these issues of suffering in the West is that it always sounds so TERRIBLE and FRIGHTENING. The shadow, nihilism, abyss... JESUS so freaky sounding. But we always glaze over what all of these philosophers are saying, which is "Look at it! Stop running from it!" which is pretty much all you can do when you're sitting on a meditation cushion looking at a wall. You can't run forever, but Jesus, it's actually totally amazing and WOW and THANK GOD when you finally have the balls to look. But boy do you need balls!

[@ShinrinnoTatsujinENGVTUBER]

Nice video, I always like to keep an open mind. Just found your channel earlier and watched your video on "the shadow" quite fascinating stuff, I do try shadow work on occasion, so that video caught my eye. And on to this video, the issue of nihilism is certainly a complex one. Although, I'll have to (respectfully) make a correction on something. The video states that Christians believe or are taught to basically ignore the Earth, or at least something along those lines, "disoriented nihilism" you called it. However, Christians are only taught to be *spiritually* invested in Heaven, not physically. In Christianity we are called to be caretakers, or more specifically "stewards" of the Earth until Christ's final coming. Not only this, we believe the Earth will be restored to a "glorified" state when this occurs, that Heaven will come down *to* Earth, thus perfecting it. Abandoning the Earth is the furthest thing from what is taught in the Christian faith. Christianity isn't about ignoring the state of the Earth to reach Heaven. Rather, Christianity teaches to do our best morally (regarding both your fellow human and the Earth) in order to be worthy of Heaven, and that we can be forgiven when we are sincere about receiving said forgiveness if we fail to meet those moral requirements (which include caretaking for the Earth). If any Christian truly believes in those things which are taught in our religion, then they will take care of the Earth accordingly. The Christian faith also teaches us that God wills the population of the Earth to develop, expand, learn and grow. Over and over again in our Scripture, it encourages us to seek both knowledge and wisdom. Symbolically describing wisdom as "a lost gem of great value that must be sought out (paraphrasing)". In fact, knowledge is considered a blessing in Christianity. It is believed that God blesses the human race with knowledge. Not just blessing us once with knowledge, but continually throughout humanity's continued existence. This being said, it is clear that ignoring knowledge is also the furthest thing from what is taught in the Christian religion. Furthermore, not every Christian takes the Genesis creation story 100% literally, but rather there are Christians who recognize Evolution, but believe that initial existence itself is created by God (because nothingness can not bring forth that which is tangible). We believe that our consciousness is evidence for our spirit, which connects our soul (mind, will and emotions) to or within our physical body. The chemicals in our brain to make us feel certain emotions, or our brain's physical process to transfer signals to our organs for example, we believe are just finer details of the greater truth of what our existing consciousness holds. (I explained that a bit more in detail than most would, but that's the gist of it). I hope this made sense from a religious perspective (I do not intend to be authoritative with my comment), if we only hear about a religion, faith, political view, ideology, etc. from our bubble, it becomes easy to assume we have something all figured out. But I assure you, as you probably already know, delving deeper is always required to make an accurate conclusion or statement. Some of the hot takes on Christianity in this video seemed partially misinformed, or at least very limited in current knowledge and understanding of the Christian religion. The Christian religion is not one that is crumbling, but rather it is evolving, as it has always evolved from age to age. It will change, grow, and adapt as it always has while still upholding its primary functions and principals. The Christian religion is not going anywhere, it is here to stay. Again, I intend this comment to simply be respectful insight. All of that being said, I do appreciate the video. There's still much to learn from it. Blessings! : )

[@nonam1115]

Great reply I knew there was something I found kinda off to me from this video and you exactly solve what it was blessing as well :)

[@joshuawagner2590]

Watched this video as a Christian myself. Couldn't agree more with your analysis and response. I was thinking about making a response similar to this myself, but you have said it well. Thank you. :-)

[@son4690]

Thats a badass thumbnail and quite appropriately utilized!

[@stevezarpas3892]

Excellent job. Ironically the values espoused by Jesus, comport very well with Nietzsche’s philosophy. The kingdom of God is within. With the faith of a mustard seed, one can moves mountains. Neither of those statements require attending a Gothic cathedral nor participating in arcane manmade rituals. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. All answers lay within and are available for asking. Divine assistance is divine.

[@amansingh-sx7ry]

one of the best videos on nihilism!

[@briang8766]

Funny how not a word is said about the final years of Neitchze including his descent into madness and his “last man” type of nihilism he supposedly suffered from while catatonic and alone in an institution until his death. Maybe more should of been said about that aspect since many people are doomed for similar types of experiences including the end of the world as we know it 🤔☺️

[@somebodysomeone8213]

Well, enter Jung. Study the unconscious mind, individuation and integrating your shadow.

[@snowthaimc9968]

As having moved to a tropical island in Thailand - we live the Last Man life. Content with meagre earnings, enjoying total comfort and the spoils of food, fruit and legal cannabis. The daily enjoyment of life without any higher pursuit.

[@mikesendec3972]

Sometimes I think myself into extreme panic attacks when i think of death and why and how of life. Its hard not knowing, its maddening, what could possibly create everything and how. That question times infinity. All outcomes are horrifying. Help.

[@TBoneZone]

Mike, I like your spirit. It is that kind of radical honesty that will take you to a new level.

[@michaelhickman3580]

Agreed

[@croutendo2050]

It sounds like you haven't thought about death enough

[@theOzzzmeister]

Whoa, Such deep thoughts! First time to your channel. I have never been down this rabbit hole and I truly appreciate your excellent analysis of nihilism, I had no idea of this kind of thought process. Great job!

[@ACEnBEAKY]

The choice of rhetoric-feeling that everything is meaningless- reminds me of the book of Ecclesiastes.

[@WillEhrendreich]

But of course, that's exactly the point ecclesiastes, that "under the sun" there is a preponderance of meaninglessness. However the context of "under the sun" is the most important part. The Most High actually gives meaning to everything else.

[@mikewallis2987]

@@WillEhrendreich You could have fooled me.

[@brandonrodulfo6643]

i really enjoy all your content I've viewed so far

[@jamesmullins6681]

Well, if that's the case, then there is a distinct misunderstanding, an almost pedestrian misunderstanding of what Buddhism and Christianity are in this video. Religions do become exhausted, but not because they implode, but because the true understanding is lost. Thou shalt not kill, treat others as you would be treated: people cannot live this way because they are incapable. Not only are they incapable, but they also don't want to live this way. They are incapable because they lack depth and understanding and live in an ego-centric world. True Buddhism (and True Christianity for that matter) do not renounce the world. They embrace it. What they renounce is our grasping and identifying with our internal world, and in turn, the manifestations and interpretations that we have towards the external world because of all that internal grasping and identifying. The aim of religion is to teach one how to be present to one's life, not to disassociate from it. If one honestly observes one's life, one will see what the right action is and what is true in an objective sense. Although a whole industry has been built up around the idea of 'being mindful' of 'being present' it is still the hardest thing known to man.

[@beardedkaratedad9706]

The more I read Neitzche the more it helps my critical thinking while following Christ in the flow of the world. Great vid.

[@2Oldcoots]

Extremely insightful! Thank you. Man must continue the struggle out of the primordial swamp (the place of his accidental first step on the long road of evolution) if he wants to find fulfillment.

[@blahblah6497]

I've been saying this for years, that he was WARNING people, whereas people erroneously attribute him as advocating for it. It drove him crazy.

[@augustuslunasol10thapostle]

It's kinda hard not to see it that way when the man himself was an actual nihilist by his own standard

[@carminefragione4710]

If you did not know the language , but considered the tone and the phonographic sound of a dirge played endlessly , just the pathological feeling of dread, comes through, and proves that all this is a product of a mental state of depression, Sadness does stimulate something, it is more than nothing, more than sleep without dreaming, but having a dream that has some endless loop of stimulation that brings one emotional response, without variation , simply put it is overdone, it is too much of one thing. If you had to eat Hot Fudge Sundaes, for the rest of your life, no matter how much you really liked the treat, it gets tired and you need to escape that taste , now it is venom, not pleasure. So the key to understanding this experience , is to play a different note , and change your tune. Try a happy song, try dancing around, see if the problem is just nothing more than too much of any one thing, being stuck on it. Get out of the house, go on a trip , give things away, do something , anything, break that monotony, change the subject, forget about it, Just FORGET ABOUT IT.

[@yourdedcat-qr7ln]

Overload the senses

[@carminefragione4710]

@@yourdedcat-qr7ln Something like taking the passion out of context from the realism of intelligent behavior, to reach some illogical conclusion that could be called "Artistic" but not rational , in sense of naturalism or science. An appeal to emotional spasms without traditional realism.

[@yourdedcat-qr7ln]

@@carminefragione4710 being illogical for arts sake

[@carminefragione4710]

@@yourdedcat-qr7ln Of the Humanities, the expression of being a human with wondrous powers to think , there is Science, Religion . Art, Prose, Poetry , Theater, Music and many other expressions that belong to humanity as unique among the mundane things of the world, about which you know little to nothing. There is something called the Placebo Effect, where upon the belief of the observer increases the probability of the realism as a true fact. There is a distinction between what is going on in the conscious mind of the people ,and the nature of atomic theory .

[@yourdedcat-qr7ln]

@@carminefragione4710 the subconscious is different from the conscious?

[@MrDavidrex]

Thank you, subscribed.

[@tryingtobebetter7235]

Is Nietzsche's depiction and disdain of the last man's values similar or comparable to the sage elitism of Schopenhauer?

[@danpierce8862]

The idea of chasing somthing greater than yourself is what allows us to grow in the most idealistic way.

[@DetectivePoofPoof]

Well the cosmos is _absolutely_ indifferent to humanity and since we need an insane amount of technology and preparation just to survive out there for any length of time Id say its pretty hostile too.

[@aplacefaraway]

To consolidate this a bit more: Life is too easy nowadays. People used to struggle/suffer just to find food and survive. Simply living long enough to raise offspring was a great accomplishment. The void is more apparent when there's nothing to do. To combat this, you have to suffer more. For example, train to run a marathon in under 4 hours, save over 100k in the bank, raise kids to be productive members of society. Then you will not be so concerned with existential problems.

[@philyeary8809]

Given even this paradigm, God, loved and valued this world; he made it. Yeshua advised Moderation, as he was dual.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Well, theory blown. You have to prove god first. ... we're all waiting...

[@croutendo2050]

@@morbidmanmusic I found the last man everybody

[@SamuraiJonez]

absolutely vital. many thanks

[@78deathface]

I watch this video And I blink

[@yourdedcat-qr7ln]

I blinked all thee times

[@johnfromdownunder.4339]

That moment when you said a bridge to another existence I heard and sad and beautiful piano note and I don't think it happened again,to put it right at that moment was perfect,I am a musician and I see how laungaue and music can be so beautiful and meloncoly but to me it's beautiful I Even if it's tragic. This is what I had spent my life trying to express and it's been so good to do so.

[@andrewbowen2837]

The next two centuries? Well damn, guess we'll have to live with nihilism for a while

[@satnamo]

Not me

[@mikewallis2987]

@@satnamo Cool...enjoy the endless government mandated injections!

[@erigor11]

Hopefully it will be more.

[@karvn1148]

one of the best videos on Nietzsche ive ever seen

[@satnamo]

People seek not meaning nor value but experiences because life is a reality to be experienced since I cannot experience life by thinking about it for life is not a problem to be solved.

[@skrieni]

Kierkegaard

[@yourdedcat-qr7ln]

It's to be lived , I see it. What if one doesn't want to exert the effort?

[@Journey_to_who_knows]

Pressure of the world is a overwhelming crush. I can see now my failed attempts of failing against it, though fuelled by burning hatred at the despair. Until the day I run out of breath shortly enough. Attempts at atomising everything to try finding sense and only removing it. Amor Fati made by the fear of it.

[@deluuno7334]

I was once in a lucid dream and I told someone "This is a Dream, your Not Real!" He preceded to give me a long explanation on his entire life story on how he had two sister, a dog that didn't like his cats, he was a salutatorian in school, and he even talked about how he had a dream last night and more and more stuff and that if he wasn't real and if this was just a dream then how could all of that happened. It stunned me realizing that this person had this entire life they thought was real, and was in reality no more different then you or me, and they thought they were real. And when I woke up they were gone, dead, non-existent. That could happen to all of us one day.

[@1pcfred]

He should have told you the difference between "your" and "you're".

[@100_Dollar_Bill]

😆 true

[@macbook-25]

@@1pcfred now you're your difference, are ya?

[@macbook-25]

Difference; told / between:

[@gregoryschleitwiler9601]

@@1pcfred nitpicker

[@MIHMediaInc]

All three is composed of a sense of abandonment of life itself due to fear, guilt or pride. This is deep because at some point we are all exhibiting a form of this three forms of nihilism. Thank you for this video.

[@zane62135]

Good video. I feel what he is getting at in a very deep sense. It feels like the western world is dying, particularly because we've tried everything that there is to try. We've abandoned tribal traditions in favor of Christianity - then we industrialized and no longer had a need for those beliefs. Now it's been a few hundred years of wandering around with no sense of purpose, with only technology and greed as our foundation. At this point it feels like I'm a cog in this borg-like machination that has been created (big tech), and this system has total control of driving the culture and society. It's hopeless to fight against the algorithms. They see everything - every data point - you can't win. I've thought about living a simple life without technology, but I'm not sure if that would make a difference.

[@mikeoglen6848]

Maybe one can escape the Matrix be doing so...?

[@michaelcaron5756]

Great video!

[@Ikaros23]

Life has a purpose. That is survival and replication. We can observe this in all of nature. The problem is not " the meaning of life". The problem is " what is the meaning of intelligence?". But the narcissistic and often traumatised man, can`t see this. He thinks the world is the problem, but reality is that it his world view that is corrupted/broken. Because the answer of " what is the purpose of intelligence" is simple!. It`s is to help us survive and evolve/adapt!. there is nothing more to it. To understand this simplicity, is to understand nature " as it is". That is in the stoic/zen sence of it. Nature is constantly evolving and adapting to the constant changes of the cosmos. The cosmos is the the world " as it is", and nature and life is the product of this constant change and evolusjon. All search for something more than nature. Is man`s own narcissism in a nutshell. Intelligence don`t make us " special", it no more special than the wings of the butterfly, or the fish abillity to breath under water. The only difference is that it makes us able to adapt in greater and greater parts of the cosmos. But the rules of the cosmos itself NEVER CHANGE. That is " Change" is the rule. This is not Nihilism but facts!. And worshiping nature or it`s power is simply foolish, because this form of magical thinking is no different than religion and other superstisjons. Life and the cosmos is going to keep evolving and changeing to infinity of time. If we like it or not don`t matter. All we can do is to accept this fact, and enjoy the prosess of learning new skills and adapting to the changes. Like the surfer who learns to surf the waves, need to accept that he/she don`t controll the waves. But can only controll himself/her self and where he/she chooses to surf. there is nothing more to it.

[@janviergalle]

Very well said. Your view is very coherent.

[@Ikaros23]

@@janviergalle it`s stoicism. It simply is no way to argue or speculate around it. The point is that trying to escape reality is not going to do anything good. Our mind is a tool to help us survive, but it is so powerfull and most is not trained to handle it`s power, or to understand it`s mechanics. Nihilism is simply the " philosophy" of the traumatised and confused mind. The coping mechanism of narcissism at it`s worst. That is the systematic blindness of the world " as it is". If we see " Life" that is all lifeforms, we see this fact. That life is simply survival and replication. And adapting to the changes of nature. Our life. That is as humans is in reality based on the same simple structure. Only difference is that we have our minds to help us or confuse us in this these two tasks. We get trubble when we look closer. Because then we see illness, powerty, death, the body getting old and decaying. Then we panic and invent religion in our atempt to escape the facts of life. Nihilism always ends in hedonism and escapeism in all it forms of addiction. But reality is that nobody can escape life Alive!. And we all need to face life eye to eye, or live as a coward. Stoicism and Zen is a way to accept our condisjon in life, and to come to peace with our mind and it`s less than perfect mechanics. with the art of self-discipline it is possible to find calm and contentment in the often chaotic changes of nature and the cosmos.

[@mikewallis2987]

Yeah but who cares.

[@jaredponder4149]

@@Ikaros23 this is a refreshingly eloquent take.

[@yourdedcat-qr7ln]

Be forced to surf or drown essentially

[@ManuelTorres-gn2zw]

This describes our time in day!!

[@whiphess7658]

As a Christian, this is inspiring in such a compelling way. I want to fight the mundane but seek to charge forward into the abyss with the fire of God, blessing, giving, and loving for the reason of nothing but the sake of God. God is not dead; he is the Beginning. And I mean that literally, metaphorically, analogously, in every way of things that can be God began them. Jesus restores thus, because His death was overcome. So is it with nihilists who come out on the other side, though, they are not the Lord, they may have someone to look forward to.

[@peytonalzaga7318]

6:46 what painting is that? Where did u clip this piece of art from?

[@andyappleton3353]

"We have invented happiness." This does touch a cord with how the modern western liberal thinks. Nothing else is required. We have told you how to be happy and what is worthy of happiness. Now do as you're told and achieve that, or else we'll condemn you.

[@markyymarkXL]

Excellent excerpt

[@McAwesomeDelux]

This was excellent! Thank you! I've always considered Nietzsche a "life affirming nihilist", which seems contradictory but isn't when you consider the idea of the übermensch as being someone who accepts the inherent pointlessness of existence and strives regardless. ETA: Text book definition of "philosophical nihilism" is "...a philosophy that rejects values and the valuation society places on people, objects and life, and instead states that everything is meaningless." I don't see how Nietzsche doesn't fit that definition. Seems like he does to me, anyway. Definitely not a nihilist in the Big Lebowski sense, but by the abov definition, I think he is.

[@enbilerfrainitiald8529]

"A philosophy that rejects values and the valuation society places on people, objects and life, and instead states that everything is meaningless." - That sounds like moral nihilism, which is only one part of existential nihilism. I'd agree that he is a moral nihilist, his early period in life was a period of skepticism and destruction of the old values, to go beyond good and evil, leading to a sense of meaninglessness. But he is not an existential nihilist, for they suppose that life is meaningless and that one cannot find meaning in life. He is an existentialist who believes life is meaningless but that you can create your own meaning. In his later life, he was concerned with creating this "revaluation of all values" to replace everything that he had destroyed. In other words, he went head-on through nihilism and emerged out of it as a life-affirmer, a Yea-sayer. On Christmas day, 1882, Nietzsche wrote Overbeck: “ … If I do not discover the alchemists’ trick of turning even this-filth into gold, I am lost -Thus I have the most beautiful opportunity to prove that for me ‘all experiences are profitable, all days holy, and all human beings divine’!!!!”

[@McAwesomeDelux]

@@enbilerfrainitiald8529 great point to my semantic argument! I'd definitely agree with this assessment in my amateur armchair philosophical knowledge. I suppose the reason I posted this comment was because of the many comments saying "Nietzsche wasn't a nihilist", which as your comment shows, is only partially true. It's only semantics and I am a word nerd so I tend to focus on pure definitions, and philosophy is chock full of its own. I suppose I file the existential nihilists into the category of pessimist philosophy, a category that Nietzsche doesn't quite "fit". Cursory googling tells me I have it backwards and pessimists are in the category of existential nihilists, though there again lies a kind of "six of one, half dozen of another" kind of semantic situation.

[@erigor11]

You're right, he certainly was a nihilist. An active nihilist.

[@cupertinoish]

Enjoyed your videos thoroughly, especially your energetic narration.