Ten Shades of Nihilism It seems that most college educated chaps have atleast heard of nihilism. But it's not a huge topic in modern philosophy; the few that take philosophy classes are not hearing about it there. So where are all these people getting their ideas about nihilism from? Most often, it is from hollywood and other mass media dispensers. The problem is that they do not have the authority to correctly present the issue. Usually, it is mentioned off-handedly as an aside. So there is a lack of time needed to gain an accurate understanding. More damaging, however, is the connotation used in describing nihilism. It is many times used as an insult to discredit someone. A connotation of pessimistic, depressive, misanthropic, and even irrational is coupled with the usage. Granted, these terms may accurately describe some nihilists, they do not describe nihilism. The biggest problem is that nihilism is a generally vague word. People understand the "nothing" in "nihil" and then have a field day making all sorts of absurd generalizations. You're a nihilist? You can't have emotions, you can't have opinions, you can't have beliefs, you can't have friends, you can't have hobbies, you can't do anything, you can't even have a website, you hypocrite! Well, my friend, surpise!, there is more than one type of nihilism, and very few nihilists would claim to be every type of nihilist. Actually, given the following specifications, it is impossible to be every kind. Modern philosophy has broken nihilism down into five distinct categories: 1.) Epistemological Nihilism, there is no knowledge. Ironically, this is the branch of nihilism which contains the fewest members, although it is also the branch most observers first think of and use to lable all nihilists. 2.) Cosmic Nihilism, there is some knowledge, but it is unimportant. The Earth is just a grain of sand in the oceanic universe. It is of no consequence, and even more so with the life forms which inhabit said sand grain. Many people may implicitly accept this view when using phrases like, "does it really matter in the big scheme of things?" 3.) Existential Nihilism, there is some knowledge, but it is meaningless. Even if nothing existed outside of our planet, all knowledge would still be completely meaningless. More over, everything is meaningless: beliefs, relationships, pleasure, etc... 4.) Moral Nihilism, there is no right or wrong. Humans are just another species of animals. Animals have no morals, so humans have no morals. It's not wrong for a wild animal to kill another animal, so why is it with humans? We may invent our own moral systems, but there is nothing intrinsic in man that is moral. Man is a part of a nature which is completely value-free. All's fair in love, war, and... everything! 5.) Political Nihilism, there is no good political system. Man is brought into this world free of political systems, and that is how it should stay. Political systems are "unnatural." This should appeal to all you spikey-haired, dog collar wearing, anarchist punks. So those are the five broadest types of nihilism. They make up the beliefs of the nihilist in question, but there are two more distinctions that differntiate the consequent behaviors. 1.) Passive Nihlism, because of my nihilistic beliefs, the only ration thing for me to do is nothing. Basically, live completely lonely, apathetically, and depressed, and eventually commit suicide. or! 2.) Active Nihilism, mockery! You believe in nothing, so act accordingly and show it. Give no thought to your authority and convention when acting, follow whatever random whim you choose. Act like your contradicting yourself, because when you believe in nothing there is contradiction.   Add them up and you get a minimum of ten distinct brands of nihilism. There are many more because a majority of nihilists fall into atleast two belief categories, and some may be active according to one brand and passive according to another. So anyways, the next time you question someone's nihilism, keep these distinctions in mind and make sure you know what you are arguing.