Are We a Nihilistic Generation?

by Naviska Kamalendrarajah 

Nihilism: The concept of having a rejection of all religious and moral perceptions, in the belief that life is meaningless.

Over the past few years, several global topics have risen. For example, the Covid pandemic. However, out of all these circumstances- the result is the slightly higher prevalence of cynicism to the school environment and a nihilism-induced slump over certain students.

When I refer to nihilism, I don’t mean it in the sense that everyone will forsake religion and moral principles, I refer to how people find it easier to complain and be negative than work through the root of the problem methodically. This watered down sense of nihilism has found a way to integrate into our environment and this is how it was done.

In modern society, there have been constant cultural shifts which include the rejection of traditions and deep-set values to a more individualistic mindset. This change allows impressionable minds to let in nihilistic tendencies and ideologies alike to nihilism to change their perception of the world. As one examines beliefs and societal norms, the ability to disregard it becomes easier through a dismissive cynicism.

Atheism is a fast growing topic within the world with an estimated five hundred million being positive atheists worldwide. This disillusionment in traditional societal terms, such as politics, religion, and education can contribute toward nihilism since people may feel that those societal terms can no longer provide meaningful answers / solutions to the challenges they face.

In the search for individualism, people adopt their own ideologies and one may be nihilism. By rejecting the concept of meaning or purpose by concluding that nothing necessarily matters, individuals may feel liberated from social expectations and decencies. In the mindset that everything is futile, one can utilise this to do as they wish. In a sense, nihilism can convey the enticing thought that anything one does is useless, meaning that everything is open to their advantage.

In conclusion, nihilism is more common in today’s society due to several factors which include individualism and cultural shifts. While nihilism provides a sense of freedom, it can also affect one’s mind to be in a state of constant cynicism and negativity. By finding a balance between questioning deep-set traditions / beliefs and individualism, we can truly find our own ideology and reason as to why nihilism shall always be prevalent whether purposeful or not.