On the Genealogy of Morals

by

Friedrich Nietzsche

Nihilism is the philosophical view that human existence is meaningless and futile. Nihilists believe that there’s no life after death, and they consequently struggle to experience life with joy, knowing that it’s just going to end.
Get the entire On the Genealogy of Morals LitChart as a printable PDF.
On the Genealogy of Morals PDF

Nihilism Term Timeline in On the Genealogy of Morals

The timeline below shows where the term Nihilism appears in On the Genealogy of Morals. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Second Essay: Guilt, Bad Conscience, and Related Matters
The Repression of Human Nature Theme Icon
...sin that mankind can never erase) and hell as eternal punishment. This breeds pessimism and nihilism. At this point, Christianity comes along and says that God (the creditor) pays the debt... (full context)
The Repression of Human Nature Theme Icon
...humanity from the curse of self-torture. Such a person will essentially be an Antichrist, an Anti-nihilist and a “conqueror of god and nothingness.” (full context)