## Core Idea - denial of all significance - Life has no inherent meaning, purpose, or value - Morality, truth, and purpose are human constructs ## Key Types - **Existential Nihilism**: No intrinsic meaning in life or the universe - **Moral Nihilism**: No objective morality; good and evil are subjective - **Epistemological Nihilism**: Knowledge and certainty are ultimately unattainable ## Famous Thinkers - **Friedrich Nietzsche** – Popularized the concept, warned about its dangers - **Jean‑Paul Sartre** – Tackled meaninglessness through [[Existentialism]] - [[Albert Camus]] – Introduced [[Absurdism]] as an alternative ## Why It Appeals - **Coping Mechanism**: Numbness against pain or [[Trauma]] - **Intellectual Edge**: Feels deep or rebellious - **Avoidance**: Sidesteps responsibility and emotional confrontation ## Related Philosophies - [[Existentialism]]: Life is meaningless, but we can create personal purpose - [[Absurdism]]: Embrace the absurdity without giving up (Camus) - [[Stoicism]]: Focus on virtue and resilience regardless of meaning