Consistent nihilism

Part of : Philosophical inquiry ; Vol.37, No.3-4, 2013, pages 62-77

Issue:
Pages:
62-77
Author:
Abstract:
Nihilism poses grave problems for those who seek directives to lead their lives. In this article, the three most important ways to deal with nihilism are inquired, with an emphasis on their credibility. Both nihilism from a metaphysical perspective and the emphasis on pleasure from nihilistic considerations are given attention. The acceptance of nihilism can have far-reaching consequences, which are evaluated at various points. Nietzsche's approach must also be considered. He accepts what he calls a sort of nihilism, but as a means to ‘new’ values. This alternative to nihilism is examined no less critically than the other two stances.
Subject:
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
metaphysical nihilism, nihilistic hedonism
References (1):
  1. J. Bentham, An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation [1789]. The Works of Jeremy Bentham. Vol. 1. Edited by J. Bowring. New York: Russell & Russell, 1962A. Camus, Le Mythe de Sisyphe [1942], OEuvres Complètes (complete works). Vol. 1.Paris: Gallimard, 2006E. Dühring, Der Werth des Lebens. Leipzig: O. Reisland, 1891M. Gillespie, Nihilism before Nietzsche. Chicago, IL/ London: University of Chicago Press, 1995I. Kant, Kritik der reinen Vernunft [1781/1787]. Kant’s gesammelte Schriften. Erste Abteilung: Werke. Band 3 (Kant’s collected writings. First section: works. Vol. 3). Berlin: Georg Reimer, 1904Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers [± 250 AD], Voi. 2. Book 10: Epicurus, Letter to Menoeceus. Edited and translated by R. Hicks. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press/ London: William Heinemann, 1979 Lucretius, De Rerum Natura [± 60 BCE]. Vol. 1. Edited and translated by C. Bailey. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1947B. Magee, The Philosophy of Schopenhauer. Oxford: Clarendon Press/ New York,NY: Oxford University Press, 1997F. Nietzsche, Die Geburt der Tragödie [1872], Werke. Kritische Gesamtausgabe(KGA), Dritte Abteilung, Erster Band (Works. Critical complete edition, section 3, vol. 1). Edited by G. Colli and M. Montinari. Berlin/ New York, NY: Walter de Gruyter, 1972F. Nietzsche, Die fröhliche Wissenschaft [1882]; Nachgelassene Fragmente Frühjahr 1881 - Sommer 1882. Werke. Kritische Gesamtausgabe (KGA), Fünfte Abteilung, Zweiter Band (Remaining Fragments Spring 1881 - Summer 1882. Works. Critical complete edition, section 5, vol. 2). Edited by G. Colli and M. Montinari. Berlin/ New York, NY: Walter de Gruyter, 1973 F. Nietzsche, Zur Genealogie der Moral [1887], Werke. Kritische Gesamtausgabe (KGA), Sechste Abteilung, Zweiter Band (Works. Critical complete edition, section 6, vol. 2). Edited by G. Colli and M. Montinari. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter & Co, 1968F. Nietzsche, Götzen-Dämmerung [1889]. Werke. Kritische Gesamtausgabe (KGA), Sechste Abteilung, Dritter Band (Works. Critical complete edition, section 6, vol. 3). Edited by G. Colli and M. Montinari. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter & Co, 1969F. Nietzsche, Nachgelassene Fragmente Juli 1882 bis Winter 1883-1884. Werke. Kritische Gesamtausgabe (KGA), Siebente Abteilung, Erster Band (Remaining fragments from July 1882 to Winter 1883-1884. Works. Critical complete edition, section 7, voi. 1). Edited by G. Colli and M. Montinari. Berlin/ New York, NY: Walter de Gruyter, 1977F. Nietzsche, Nachgelassene Fragmente Herbst 1885 bis Herbst 1887. Werke. Kritische Gesamtausgabe (KGA), Achte Abteilung, Erster Band (Remaining fragments from Autumn 1885 to Autumn 1887. Works. Critical complete edition, section 8, voi. 1). Edited by G. Colli and M. Montinari. Berlin/ New York, NY: Walter de Gruyter, 1974F. Nietzsche, Nachgelassene Fragmente Herbst 1887 bis März 1888. Werke. KritischeGesamtausgabe (KGA), Achte Abteilung, Zweiter Band (Remaining fragments from Autumn 1887 to March 1888. Works. Critical complete edition, section 8, voi. 2). Edited by G. Colli and M. Montinari. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter & Co, 1970R. Nozick, Anarchy, State, and Utopia. New York, NY: Basic Books, 1974A. Schopenhauer, Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung, part 1 [1818], Sämtliche Werke, Zweiter Band (Complete works, vol. 2). Edited by A. Hübscher. Wiesbaden: F. Brockhaus, 1965A. Schopenhauer, Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung, part 2 [1844]. Sämtliche Werke, Dritter Band (Complete works, vol. 3). Edited by A. Hübscher. Wiesbaden: Eberhard Brockhaus Verlag, 1949A. Schopenhauer, Über die vierfache Wurzel des Satzes vom zureichenden Grunde [1813]. Sämtliche Werke, Siebenter Band (Complete works, vol. 7). Edited by A. Hübscher. Wiesbaden: Eberhard Brockhaus Verlag, 1950G. Schulze, Aenesidemus oder über die Fundamente der von dem Herrn Prof.Reinhold in Jena gelieferten Elementar-Philosophie [1792]. Brussels: Culture et civilisation, 1969L. Wittgenstein, Tractatus logico-philosophicus [1921], Werkausgabe, Band 1 (Work edition, vol. 1). Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp, 1997H. Zimmer, Philosophies of India. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1951