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A common concern
received here is the
question, "I want to learn more about
nihilism, where should I go, what should I do,
what should I read ?"
Well
first off you don't need to go anywhere - you're
already here! Second you will want to visit your
nearest library or search the Internet for online
books depending on the format of your reading
preference. More on that in a moment.
Next, what you
should do is read. This is because it's the most
effective way to learn the subject and will best
present new ideas and perspectives in a way that
can be effectively digested, so to speak, by the
mind. Start from the list below. I suggest these
books because this is primarily how I learned
about nihilism (albeit without the benefit of the
simplified order shown) and second because they
all contain key elements of the nihilistic
mindset. I would suggest following the numerical
order in reading mostly because it follows a
general historical progression but the order you
follow is really a matter of your convenience.
Nihilism Reading &
Viewing
List for The Beginner
-
Dictionary
[Simple
definitions]
-
Fathers
and Sons, by
Turgenev.
This is a
novel which depicts the how, why and what
for of the Nihilist, set in 19th century
Czarist Russia. [Defining the
Nihilist]
-
Notes
From the Underground, by Dostoyevsky.
A first
person exposition of life in (or at least
near) the gutter. [Nihilistic
scenery]
-
Nietzsche's
The
Antichrist.
[God
destruction]
-
The Trial
by Franz Kafka.
A novel of
the individual being ground down and
persecuted by the weight and capricious
whim of the system. [Destroying artificial law]
-
God and
the State, by Michael Bakunin.
Where
anarchism meets nihilism - covers
religion as slavery, science in society
and other topics. [Destroying
the State]
-
The
Catechism of a Revolutionist by Sergei
Nechayev, 1869.
The
hyperlink is to a local excerpt. [Revolutionary
Manifesto for a Nihilist]
-
The Will
to Power, by Nietzsche.
Examines the
nature of nihilism and its evolution into
the 'anti-Nihilist' archetype.
Additional Reading Material
-
The
Assassination Bureau, Ltd by Jack
London.
Nihilism in
action of a sort.
-
The
Career of a Nihilist, by Stepniak, 1890
This novel provides insight into the lives and actions of
the 19th century Russian Nihilist revolutionaries.
-
The
Philosophy of Andy Warhol, by A.
Warhol, 1975.
-
Adam’s Curse, by Bryan Sykes, 2004.
If nihilism is that which is unavoidable then this book fits
the category perfectly. Geneticist Bryan Sykes combines
history, geography, and of course genetics, to reveal the
past, present and future of the Y (male) chromosome.
Ultimately the book reveals the way that unthinking genetic
influences can redirect, and even contradict, our best
interests as individual human beings, and as a species.
-
for more suggestions visit the
LINKS
page
-
... and
Nihilism
the book and website by Freydis
These films are both entertaining
and informative; they will help you establish an expanded sense
of …
Film
Cultural
context (compare and contrast)
-
Baraka (1993) DVD, a stunning visual tour
of the world by Ron Fricke.
-
Mondo Cane 2
(1964) DVD, meaning 'a dog's world' or 'dog’s life', in
Italian, featuring extreme human behavior, ridiculous
religious rituals, fashion and foolish fad, violence and
stupidity, low-budget entertainment;
“... the film tended to shatter values.”
The
artificial technological environment:
- Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance
(1983), directed by Godfrey Reggio
The
natural environment in context:
-
Animal Minds (1999) DVD, PBS/BBC
production. [Biological & psychological context: emotions,
consciousness, morality]
-
Earth: The Biography (2008) Blu-ray, by
Dr. Iain Stewart, BBC. [Geo-historical context]
-
Planet Earth
(2007) Blu-ray, narrated by David Attenborough (skip disc 4).
[Biological environmental context]
-
BBC Atlas of the Natural World
[series] (2007), narrated by David Attenborough.
[Biological environmental context]
Cosmic
context:
-
Journey to the Edge of the Universe (2008) Blu-ray,
This National Geographic film is a visually compelling trip
through space and time, depicting the violent creative and
destructive forces that created us and shape the
universe.
Glossary of Key Terms
Anomie:
Instability that comes from the breakdown of standards and
values within society. The alienation and uncertainty resulting
from a lack of direction and broken ideals.
Apostasy: To reject or renounce a belief set or religious
faith, to revolt.
Existentialism:
A philosophy concerning the difficulties of individual existence
in a world where knowledge and morality are uncertain.
Faith:
The firm belief in something
for which there is no proof.
Heretic: One who dissents from religious dogma or breaks
from accepted beliefs; nonconformist.
Heterodox: View or opinion that is different from, or in
opposition to, an accepted standard or religion; unconventional,
unorthodox.
Iconoclast:
Image destroyer. Destruction of religious symbols and or one who
opposes their worship. One who attacks established beliefs and
associated institutions.
nihilism:
A viewpoint that traditional beliefs and values are mortally
flawed, unfounded. The imperative desire for the wholesale
destruction of existing values, beliefs and associated
institutions.
Nihilism:
The ideas and concepts of nihilism put into action.
Revolution:
Fundamental change in worldview, and/or a radical
socio-political and economic transformation.
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