Nihilism facts for kids
Nihilism is a word that comes from the Latin word nihil, which means "nothing." It is a belief that many things we think are important, like our values or morals, are not actually real or true. A nihilist might believe that life itself, or the world, does not have any special meaning or purpose.
Many people think of the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche when they hear about nihilism. He wrote that people often invent their own morals. However, Nietzsche also believed that people should create their own values and meaning to overcome nihilism.
Contents
Where the Idea of Nihilism Came From
The idea of nihilism became popular thanks to a Russian writer named Ivan Turgenev. He used the term in his famous novel Fathers and Sons in 1862. In this book, the main character, Bazarov, was a nihilist.
Before Turgenev, another Russian thinker, Mikhail Bakunin, wrote about similar ideas in 1842. He suggested that sometimes destroying old ways can lead to new and creative things.
Nihilism and Russian History
In Russia, some people used nihilism as a reason for big changes. A Russian revolutionary named Sergei Nechaev wrote a pamphlet that was influenced by nihilist ideas. This writing even had an impact on Vladimir Lenin, who later led the Russian Revolution.
The famous writer Fyodor Dostoevsky was part of a group with nihilist ideas when he was younger. Because of this, he was sent away from his home for ten years. His novels, like Devils (also called The Possessed) and Crime and Punishment, explore the ideas of nihilism and its effects on people.
The End of a Movement
Nihilists were involved in planning the assassination of the Russian ruler, Alexander II. He was killed by bombs on March 13, 1881. After this event, the nihilist movement in Russia was largely stopped by the government.
Images for kids
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An early sketch of Søren Kierkegaard.
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A painting by Ilya Repin called Portrait of a Nihilist Student.
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Friedrich Nietzsche in 1882.
See also
In Spanish: Nihilismo para niños
