Nietzsche and Nihilism - A Warning to the West 

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I was going to comment something about nihilism, but then I decided that it didn't really matter.

I was never religious, but it's becoming increasingly obvious to me that the rise in political polarization on both sides of the spectrum (left and right) has something to do with the rise in atheism and widespread rejection of religion. Interestingly, the older I get, the more I come to see religion in a positive light, even though I was a "proud" atheist when I was younger and always made fun of religious people for believing everything in their life was dictated by an invisible god in the sky. However, the problem is that if humans can't find meaning in life through religion, they will try to find it through something else, and this is precisely what we're experiencing right now. People are flocking to ideology--take "wokeness" for example--as a means to give meaning to their existence. This has resulted in the growing political divide we're presently at grips with.

Nailed Nietzsche. Totally nailed it. From 'Birth of Tragedy' to 'Will to Power', this was always his message: Affirm Life above all. Bravo

"In his illness he dreamt that the entire world had fallen victim to some strange, unheard of and unprecedented plague spreading from the depths of Asia into Europe. Everyone was to perish, apart from a chosen few, a very few. Some new kind of trichinae had appeared, microscopic creatures that lodged themselves in people's bodies. "But these creatures were spirits, gifted with will and intelligence. People who absorbed them into their systems instantly became rabid and insane. But never, never had people considered themselves so intelligent and in unswerving possession of the truth as did those who became infected. Never had they believed so unswervingly in the correctness of their judgements, their scientific deductions, their moral convictions and beliefs." From "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

im not working the next 20 years to cover the pensions of the people who priced me from a home. they are on their own

Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I think imagining a better world does not necessarily mean wanting a better world or hating the real world. Imagination and imagining great things is an important tool for self development and reflecting. Imagination can be an escape, but also a source of inspiration.

Still my all time favorite RU-vid channel. Life-changing content.

Plato, as all the other "true world" believers, saw their present context and somehow knew of a better, perfect one. This is what is obvious and innate. We instinctively know there is better, and obviously see we are not there. C.S. Lewis said it best, "If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

Glad I took the time today. I might never have known I've been a nihilist practically my entire adult life. I do hope, at some point, to find a better, brighter view of the world we share. This has been enlightening. Subscribed.

Brillant! This describes the problems of todays society perfectly

On that topic The demons by Dostoievsky is just a monumental artwork, and the way it covers nihilism and its propagation, eventhough it stands as a novel, are extremely revelant here I believe.

I can relate to a lot of this unfortunately. I’ve been having this bizarre existential crisis recently where I’ve become aware of a lot of my problems but I have to fight the part of me that is scared of change.

You cannot be a nihilist without feeling good about the end of the world, and you cannot feel good about the end of the world unless foreseeing that event somehow puts you above the world. That is how big our egos can get.

This is hands down one of the best educational channels on YT. Thumbs up!!!

Great video. Nietzsche was extremely prescient, it boggles the mind.

Never did I read or see anything about Nietzsche throughout my school years. Makes one think...

Wow this is eye opening. I’m at a loss for words now, grateful to Nietzsche and you for sharing this content in the most engaging clear way possible ❤

I believe there is a correlation between Western nihilism and the 24/7 despair and division we see and hear on the news, from our political "leadership" and the continuous echo of that same despair of approval and disapproval from the common people on social media.

One of the best videos I’ve seen summarizing his philosophies and making it easy to comprehend. Really looking forward to the next video!

I'm so glad I understand what content is good. This channel was very helpful in my growth. Heard what I needed to hear at the right time every time. I appreciate it! You are doing good work.

Nice work, well done. I have watched many of your other videos...this is by far one of my favorites.

Excellent essay, as so often. This channel offers a clear, relevant and very accessible interpretation of Nietzschean thought, as few if any other source achieve to do. Thank you!

Nihilism equals truth. This is why the vast majoirity of humans are so obsessed with lying to themselves and to others.

This has been time well spent. Appreciated is that you are heard as if face-to-face with the listener. Thank you for no unnecessarily intrusive music soundtrack, that phony and flippant gimmick prevalent in most message presentations, as if it is also the message. Pathetic that too many who share quality information and instruction seem neither willing nor competent nor confident to deliver knowledge without layers of powder-sugared topping. Thanks for being an effective, enlightening, and enlightened conversant.

Thank you. Watching your videos in the summer/autumn of 2021 and since, saved my life. Helped me change my perspective and take control of my life. Thank you. Please, never stop enlightening us all. I share your videos far and wide. Thank you.

This video shows how most of today's society hides its fears and insecurities behind lies and illusions. Thank you for sharing!

Been scampering down the rabbit hole for so long. Glad to have come across this warren of enlightenment. And the art work selected rivals famous museums. Thank you. 🙏

This channel and the narrator's flow is a breath of fresh air.

Beautiful presentation. Thank you

Aaaaaannnnd,,,,,,shared. Thanks so much folks, for your incredible content.

This is not a warning to the west but the world

Thank you, super interesting. Much appreciated

A great way of taking in what society has plaguing itself within. All of these radically senial thoughts and ideas making people fight amongst themselves is a fall into despair and a chaotic state of mind where it gives people purpose in a negative aspect and invoke their negativity upon others around them. This is really eye opening and refreshing to see. Great video

Well, God has taught me that i ought to suffer for righteousness as he did on the cross. That this is how redemption was won. Not in the avoidance of suffering but Facing it with courage for what is right. This i find gives meaning to suffering. Nietze critized christianity with what i assume is a lack of manliness. But i find that its at the core of sacrifice. Manliness without righteousness will diminish us into beasts. Manliness must be married with the ideal. To lose the ideal is to lose direction. I do not think suffering with courage can sustain itself for long without heaven as its aim. Cut out heaven and all you have left is an angry man shaking his fist at God for not existing.

A rejection of culture and heritage is a rejection of one’s humble beginnings.

At the age of 44 I actually attained the perfect life that so many strive for. Let me tell you - the contentment and realization of such bliss soon is robbed by the nagging thoughts that one day soon I will lose all of this.

Always look forward to when you drop new videos. You should do it more often!

Wow! This perfectly articulates perceptions I have felt and thought but not grasped firmly enough to explain. Thank you for blowing my mind!❤

Excellent video!! I would love to see a video on Nietzsche Jung and his essay on Wotan. This topic is barely ever covered!

“Nihilism is…not only the belief that everything deserves to perish; but one actually puts one shoulder to the plough; one destroys.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

Simply and realistically done. Great, succinct explanation.

Another excellent presentation, thank you

Thank you for all the great content you create.

Always been interested in Nietzsche's philosophies ,yet was too intimidated and unsure of how to approach it. Thanks for this introduction to his " views " . I will now learn as much as possible on Nietzsche's philosophies and Nihilism as a whole.

I needed that.TY!

Wow, you’re videos are becoming better and better, keep it up, can’t wait to hear Nietzsche’s world view and how to implement it without becoming a total beast!

"It's not fair!" --Nihilist in The Big Lebowski

Gad damn that was good ! I'm gonna listen again, so much to consider ! (It had my mind running in Circles)

Outstanding video, thank you!

Loved it. Thanks!

Brilliantly put together....many thanks and blessings. Momento Mori.

Nietzsche in one sentence: Be grateful for what you do have.

Great selection of artworks!

Brilliantly presented

Watching at 430 am before starting my new job. Thanks. I needed it.

Yes. Remain faithful. Dont be shallow minded. Always back yourself

Great video once again, thank you !

explained wonderfully

"Before Nietzsche, philosophy was only philosophy. After Nietzsche... philosophy became DANGEROUS!" Dr. HAHA Lung, Mind Control and Asian Dark Arts Psychology

You got to the crux of Nietzsche in 14m, It took me year of other youtube videos figure that out. Thanks PS Love the Art!

Excellent!

Wow I have learnt more from your videos in a matter of days than I have learnt in my 12 years of mindless schooling!

This world is an illusion, hanging on to it is the real tragedy.

I began examining nihilism and its progress since 1979 at 27. Even then, you could see it everywhere. So glad to finally see a video re. "Nietzsche On Nihilism"!!!!

As long as there is suffering in the world, there will be institutions that will exploit others desires for pain free utopias. We have always had a love -hate relationship with the world, & our arrogance at assuming we can shape the world in our image only adds to our suffering. All species have an expiration date with no exceptions. Keep up the great work. Thanks.

If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him. -Voltaire Great video, keep up the good work 💪

Love it!

Great upload 💯

This was very well done. It is an essential point in philosophy of if all of religions is just a way to deny reality or not. My view, as a huge fan of both Nietzsche and "religion", see these views to both make important points, but still in the final analysis, they are not antithetical. How so? First, Nietzsche is correct that denying this world in which we actually live is a self-defeating act. You were also very wise to cite how Paul tried to fuse Greek thought with Christian thought, because this is where the problem is (they are fundamentally antithetical). If all of the following are true, there is no conflict between Nietzsche's views and Christian views: 1) Earth is a place where fallen entities come, 2) but it is perfect for them, because it is designed to allow raising of consciousness, 3) there are truer worlds, but they are not available to those of fallen consciousness due to how consciousness works. Therefore, humans should embrace this world and be "in" this world, but not "of" this world, meaning humans should focus on raising consciousness to embrace obviously logical necessities like there is only one universe and therefore we are indeed all one and so the Will to Power means seeing how collaboration is more powerful than egoism and dog-eat-dog/might is right thinking. The paradox is the real power is the power of love, and selfish power fails in the long run and is not powerful at all.

This is my daily dose of peace

Good stuff!!

I think a lot of people assume Nietzsche was advocating or celebrating the death of God. He was actually warning people about it.

There is birth, life and death. It is up to each of us to make the most or the least out of our talents. Do not compare to one with less talents or labors, it will make you conceited. Do not compare to one more talented or harder working, it will make you depressed. In Japan there is a deity shown holding the "mallet of success", seated with his other arm resting on a bag of gold coins. The secret of the "mallet of success" is to keep swinging, that is, keep working; never put the hammer down.

I've just accepted that life will never be something I'm good at. Although I don't particularly want to die. I welcome the rest I will finally get.

Wonderful video!

what a cliffhanger. i cannot wait until the next video!!

Awesome art selection. They look like I could spend 20 minutes each on the originals. And your voice cadence. Excellent presentation every time. Trad Forum.

Finally, some real thinking. Thanks guys.

Really nice informative video.

Thanks!

To be fair to Christianity it does view suffering as needed for the current life and beneficial such as: James 1 “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Also Jesus says to take up our daily cross which is suffering. And the kingdom of God is is duel as something of present but also future, so purpose now and hope of purpose later. Now I will agree the modern focus of Christianity has devolved as you said into current reality of forgot and who cares about this life because of future potential life. I also think you hit it right because of the meshing of Platonic thought which happened predominately in the Middle Ages till now.

I call it "denial-ism" - ppl existing in protective ignorance, believing they have answers to questions not yet asked....

Great video!

Thank you.

Dear GOD!!! I got a lot to unpack here. It's not the first time I've understood this but this time it really sunk in.... (Breath Luke). I love you guys!! I really do. I don't like everyone but I see you as myself. Apart we are grains of sand, together we are planet earth. I live with a very painful, incurable disease and it's taught me that there are beautiful lessons in the darkest of places. I feel like that's why I'm here, to suffer and learn. Perspective is everything. How interesting is my place in the human record going to be? Maybe I'm writing a book in time to keep me in line when my place comes in eternity. Is it going to be chapters of complaints? I hope not!! I hope it will be full of valuable lessons!!!!! We live in a world where being a victim is a good thing.... Our minds have been poisoned by materialism! We lost our tribe... This applies to so much of our current situation. Respect to the seeker!!! You guys are obviously thinking on a level so many of our brothers and sisters aren't capable of. I think most of it is willful ignorance. Thank you from the center of my heart for having the courage to look deeper!!! Knowledge is my candle and my heart is my compass!

Nietzsche’s diagnoses was spot on but his cure was lacking.

this is exactly wat ive been waiting for

Thanks for the reminder.

It’s hard not to be Nihilistic when our governments are so optimistic about their survival… and our submission. What kind of positive mindset it would take to checkmate such a prison? Anger is better than depression -The Terminator 101

11:39 This one struck hard, it is me. 33 yo, I spent the first ~30 years of my life deeply in Christianity, born and raised in USA, going to church, etc. The bullshit from the last ~4 years is the "faith crisis" (not just faith in God, but in humans, in almost every man-made institution I grew up with) that has driven me to perhaps become somewhat nihilistic and deeply distrustful of most sources other than my own personal experience (yes, this includes moderate distrust of even history books and things I read online.) I study more history and philosophy, lately. I'm very intrigued and have somewhat become "amoral," although there are certainly parts of me that still cling to my youth, my parents' shadow, and to Christian teachings (I don't view this as a bad thing, I'm just interpreting things more for myself, instead of allowing other people to tell me what something means.) I'm much more open to listening to viewpoints of others that just 5 years ago I would have found deeply disturbing and probably would have walked away from immediately. Hell, I hardly like Star Wars but I've been watching videos about the philosophies of the light side versus the dark side just fuckin because. I have no idea how to come to terms with things. It's not causing me much anxiety, but it is something I ponder as I talk to people online, or as I go about my personal hobbies.

I waited fourteen minutes for that quote and wasn't disappointed. May I humbly add another ?(paraphrased) "I want too see in you the eyes of an angel,yet also the heart of the bull, bellowing and snorting ; it should be of the earth." Nietzsche also wrote as a repudiation of the"true" world practice which: "Beats it's wings against eternal walls". (On the preachers of death. Beyond good and evil) Many thanks for your ongoing work. It's value is immeasurable.

Utopia is from two Greek words, "oo" and "topos" they translate to mean "no place". Therefore, Utopia isn't a destination, it's no place, technically, the nihilistic view. That being said, I love your content, you guys have incredible content that everyone everywhere should take the time to listen and learn. I've heard many on many channels discuss the very things you discuss, but no where near as accurate and concise, I recommend your channel to everyone.

I would recommend a wider library than just Nietzsche and Jung. Nietzsche was brilliant in certain places, but widely off on others as history as shown. Same with Freud, Jung... same with every philosopher. (The Philosophies of philosophers often reflect their particular psychological challenges) For example, yes, one could argue Nihilism comes a natural consequence of so-called "True world" religions (as if the East has none themselves? i.e. Non-duality,? World as illusion, etc. Yet Nihilism is western phenomenon because of Christianity?) but Nihilism can also comes from a rejection of the meaning those religions provide. Also, Nietzsche, like so many intellectuals of the time, over generalize and dismiss religions as "dead." RIght, go ask a Slav, Croat, Serb peasant back than if his religion is "dead." He doesn't just throws out the baby with the bathwater, he chucks the entire neighborhood in to the sun. So, anyone can argue both for Nietzsche's position and against him. There are so many brilliant philosophers who have successfully refuted him; Go and explore! There's a bigger world out there than Eastern European's cynicism. But Nietzsche does write like a golden prophet and most philosophers don't have his prose-skill.

That was wonderful, thanks

Perfect timing. I was just looking at a picture of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. It's like staring into the abyss.

When I was young, I didn’t want to be hurt or experience struggle. I retreated into myself. Eventually I used Nihilism to try and justify my own failures and my shortcomings. I’m an adult now, and realize that the fears, struggles, and emotional pain of what I am going to face now, with even less of a social group,could have all been avoided if I did the things I spent my whole youth avoiding. I wake up scared of my future. The exact opposite of what I thought Nihilism could do for me.

Loved the video. I agree with some of Nietzsche's points, but I've been poisoned with Schopenhauer's metaphysics and Buddhism too much to accept Nietzsche's "solution" :)

Fascinating and deeply-insightful.