what is the difference between existentialism and nihilism??

Answer 1

Existentialism: The belief that we cannot know life's purpose and there might not even be one, but no one really knows.

Nihilism: Belief that there IS NOT a purpose or any reason for existing.

Answer 2

The difference is probably that between almost nothing and absolutely nothing.

First of all, it bears mention that there isn't really ONE 'existentialism'. There are many people who are considered existentialist (often they don't consider themselves to be), and they disagree on many things. But there are still general criteria, and we'll go on those. Just keep in mind that your brand of existentialism may differ from the 'name brand'. Heh.

Existentialists would typically agree with nihilists that the universe is inherently meaningless. There is no purpose, and often no order to the things that go on, and searching for these things externally is considered to be a completely pointless endeavor.

Where the existentialist differs substantially is that he believe that order and meaning can be created even if it is not intrinsically there. In other words, if you want order or meaning you have to MAKE it. Most so-called existentialists consider this to be no small task. Nihilists consider it to be an impossible one.

The second area in which the two camps would agree is in the concept that reason is not necessarily supreme. If the universe is chaotic, then perhaps being reasonable is an unreasonable thing to do (which is also why these guys tend to completely reject most other philosophical work).

Existentialists tend to stress other things instead. Nietzsche, for example, emphasized a 'will to power', one which could be seen by others as barbaric and horrible. Others concentrate on being yourself, or heeding your senses as one of the few inputs you have on what's going on around you.

Nihilists stress NOTHING else instead. Nothing works. There is no point. You are wasting your time to try.

As you might imagine, nihilism is usually more of an accusation than an actual philosophy that is followed by people, except among the extremely depressed. Even existentialism can be difficult for its adherents to follow - it doesn't paint itself a pretty picture. Still, some would say that if you want the greatest glory, you have to be willing to accept the possibilty of the greatest defeat.

Hope that helps! Peace.

Answer 3

Existentialism stands for a philosophic production that have as its scope the treatment of the questions related to the being of the human beings. The case here is that we, human beings, cannot not to live anymore. We are suppose to live. What we do with this condition is matter of existentialism.

Nihilism is the philosophy that looks for destroying everything that were constructed 'till then, in other words, until the philosophy of nihilism. Its content is marked with the aim of reducing to nothing everything, every moral that exists in the time refered.

So, it is not the case to point "the difference between one and another", but to see that they two work with different things, see differently the world and the mankind. Therefore, the difference is not a methodological one, but an ontological one.

I hope you got it all! Then you'll understand...

Have good answers!



i e - b r a z i l

Answer 4

There are as many different definitions of existentialism as there are existentialists...but basically, existentialism is about self-definition and the search for meaning. Nihilism dogmatically says that nothing has value/meaning.

Answer 5

Edit:DoctorY,I think when Nietzsche talked of the will to power,he meant it in the individualistic sense,not to control people.He was actually against any political affiliation or nationalism.He grew apart from his friend Wagner because of his new found nationalism for Germany.He was just stating the fact that there are those who don't want to break from their herds,and those who lead.



Nihilism tends to be more pessimistic and contradicts itself by building a philosophy on it.

Existentialism is a wide area in philosophy ranging from atheists,theists and everything in between.It simply states that existence proceeds essence and we must look here for a meaning for our lives.Metaphysical meaning can wait.Maybe it will come,maybe it will never.Existentialists make the best of life and all of our ignorance.Here's some videos that might help give an explanation:

Answer 6

existentialism: "Well look at me! I'm here and I'll be if I'm not as naked as a bird! What kind of bird? Well I think I'll call it a J-Bird and I'm as naked as it is and how the heck did I get here? Doesn't matter cause I'm hungry. Hey that big bovine thing, it's eating the grass - I guess I'll have some grass too. Yuk! This grass is horrible and less filling. You know I think I'm going to knock that bovine thing, I'll call it a cow, in the head and eat IT! Yes, that's exactly what I'll do and whatever the consequences I'll deal with them.

nihilism: "I'll get you my pretty! I'll get them all! And your little dog Toto too!"

Answer 7

Existentialism got lost in Psychoanalysis, and Nihilism got lost in nothingness!0!

I think they were playing who can hide better!0!

It sounds to me like chronic denial...!0!

Don't get me wrong. These people were seekers, just like you and me, and that can't be bad.

On the other hand, they both make clear good points on the objective perception of reality.

It's not always clear to most people when they read about Philosophy though, and it is my experience that we tend to misunderstand, generalize, and make a big mess!0!

But we'll get it eventually.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Nihilism is when you believe that nothing is real.
Existentialism is when you even don't even believe in the previous statement.