Author: M. Farahi Tojegi
The Evolution of Nihilism and Its Opposition to Religious Faith (part 22)
The Roots of Nihilism: Why Does It Occur?
Nihilism often arises from existential crises, the gap between aspirations and reality, or the loss of meaning within traditional and social structures. This condition emerges when a person, faced with the vastness of existence or endless suffering, encounters a vacuum of meaning and begins to see previous values as invalid—or lacks any awareness of authentic spiritual and religious values altogether.
In such circumstances, the world becomes an arena devoid of purpose, and the desire to dismantle norms replaces constructive engagement. Human beings—especially the seemingly civilized modern Western individual—find themselves in intellectual isolation, confronted with absolute freedom that lacks any guiding foundation. As a result, the burden of this aimlessness leads to the erosion of vital motivation and a disconnection from reality.
This rupture leaves the individual suspended between the denial of truth and the longing for peace, as though humanity is condemned to live in a world that has lost all definitive answers. Amid the noise of material achievements, one finds oneself cut off from the fundamental connection to the “essence of existence.” In this relentless stripping away of meaning, suffering no longer serves to refine the soul but instead becomes a draining burden that drives one toward total negation.
In this context, the emergence of nihilistic thought can be attributed to the following factors:
Some Causes of the Emergence of Nihilism
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Neglecting the spiritual dimension and the relationship with God;
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Disappointment and disillusionment, including negative experiences with distorted or excessive religious exposure;
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The growth and prosperity of secular Western societies that view worldly pleasure as the ultimate goal, along with a sense of indifference that contributes to nihilism and self-destruction;
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Excessive reliance on reason, or its overuse, particularly in the Enlightenment tradition;
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The conception of the individual as entirely self-sufficient or self-grounded (an “absolute individual”);
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Epistemic deficiency and skepticism regarding existence and belief—when a person cannot find convincing answers to fundamental questions of life, they may gradually conclude that nothing has real value or meaning. This skepticism can detach individuals from traditional beliefs and ultimately lead them toward nihilism;
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Psychological and social problems, as well as personality disorders—especially when individuals face emotional, social, or family difficulties, leading to feelings of failure, worthlessness, and deep loneliness. These experiences often result in the belief that nothing in life is valuable or capable of positive change, thereby fostering nihilistic tendencies;
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One of the most important factors is the lack of a sound and meaningful philosophy of life. When a person cannot define meaningful goals or direction, a sense of emptiness gradually develops. The absence of higher ideals and aspirations also contributes to nihilism, as individuals without lofty goals tend to perceive their lives as meaningless and purposeless.
