In 100 years, everyone reading this article will most likely be dead, some in as little as 20, some might not even make it to tomorrow. Think. What would we leave behind when we inevitably kick the bucket? A legacy? A story? A big hospital and funeral bill that would kill you if you weren’t already dead? Or nothing?
Existential nihilism is the belief that life serves no purpose and holds no value. When you die, nothing will happen on your end and the world keeps spinning.
However, the definition of existential nihilism may vary between individuals, as some detract from the textbook definition.
Government, Economy, and Psychology teacher Ricardo Anguiano explains their own definition of existential nihilism.
“To me, and I might be wrong, I would describe it as nothing mattering,” Anguiano said.
Junior Damian Mendez shows their take on existential nihilism.
“I think that I would describe it as the idea of life which has no set meaning, or exact purpose,” Mendez said.
As a result of the nihilistic belief, those who harbor those pessimistic thoughts often encounter frequent periods of depression and lack of motivation and focus. However, a person’s view on life could be molded through their experiences.
Mendez explains how their own personal experiences have both benefited and damaged their view on life.
“Honestly yeah, I mean from being shamed for no reason to being called names, each one of those negative interactions have shifted my view on my personal purpose in negative ways. But, also in positive ways as I have viewed my purpose to inspire and be a role model sometime,” Mendez said.
Anguiano continues to elaborate on how progression into different age groups, influenced by our experiences, can result in different views on life.
“I think people’s views on life always change because we are different from when we are young to when we get older so our view points on life change as we progress in our age,” Anguiano said.
Existential nihilism could lead to either an optimistic view on life as one may feel less restricted to follow a standard pathway, yet it could equally lead to a pessimistic view on life as one may feel that there is no need to do anything if it does not matter at all.
Mendez shows both sides on how existential nihilism could be a blessing that makes you feel freedom, or a curse that never seems to stop being a burden.
“Sometimes it can feel as if there isn’t a set purpose, as you can feel free to make whatever choice you want. But [sometimes it] would be more so being forced to accept and be something that you aren’t, which shapes you negatively,” Mendez said.
Mendez ends with a final note on existential nihilism and its effect on his daily life.
“Honestly it doesn’t really affect my choices as I do feel free to make them by myself, without being influenced,” Mendez said.
Anguiano demonstrates how not thinking much about existential nihilism results in not having much of an influence on his life.
“I really don’t think much about existential nihilism so I don’t have an opinion on it. It doesn’t impact my life decisions at all,” Anguiano said.
Existential nihilism can be prominent in one’s life, but sometimes to just not worry too much about it is enough to offside its negative effects almost completely. In the end, it’s your own life, and there’s no need to worry about whether it means something to the world, because what matters is that it means something to you.
