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tyndareos's review
2.0
39/100
He tries to tackle some big ideas, but gets weird with it. Goes on an odd tangent comparing jocks and nerds to Nietzsche's concept of slave morality... and somehow ties this to American culture?
It's a weird stretch.
Things improve slightly when the book looks at Nietzsche's ideas about why a god is necessary.
But then it's back to bizarre interpretations, like "why a god needs to test his creation".
Ultimately, this book missed the mark for me.
He tries to tackle some big ideas, but gets weird with it. Goes on an odd tangent comparing jocks and nerds to Nietzsche's concept of slave morality... and somehow ties this to American culture?
It's a weird stretch.
Things improve slightly when the book looks at Nietzsche's ideas about why a god is necessary.
But then it's back to bizarre interpretations, like "why a god needs to test his creation".
Ultimately, this book missed the mark for me.
bootman's review
5.0
I've felt a certain type of way lately, which I assumed was nihilistic based on my remedial understanding of the philosophy. So, I decided to pick up this book from Nolen Gertz. MIT Press releases some awesome books, and this one was a great introduction to the subject. It helped me better understand the difference between nihilism and pessimism, as well as many other misconceptions about nihilism.
I gained a better understanding about how nihilism isn't this kind of apathy, but some see it as a sign that you do actually care. The book brought up some thought-provoking discussions, and towards the end, there's an excellent chapter about how nihilism relates to education, work, and other aspects of life. I gained a better understanding of how I see the world and realized that my nihilistic tendencies really just help me pick and choose what I'm going to spend my time on. As someone who almost died 8 years ago from a drug addiction, I realized how much time we all waste on things that really don't matter.
I gained a better understanding about how nihilism isn't this kind of apathy, but some see it as a sign that you do actually care. The book brought up some thought-provoking discussions, and towards the end, there's an excellent chapter about how nihilism relates to education, work, and other aspects of life. I gained a better understanding of how I see the world and realized that my nihilistic tendencies really just help me pick and choose what I'm going to spend my time on. As someone who almost died 8 years ago from a drug addiction, I realized how much time we all waste on things that really don't matter.
graham_med's review
5.0
This book introduced me to the vast, convolutedly fascinating world of philosophy. From Plato to Nietzsche, many famous thinkers’ works were summarized and wielded at Gertz’s side, enabling him to make compelling webs of philosophical ideas. I very much look forward to looking for more ways to look at the world around me with similar books.
bogdanbalostin's review
5.0
It’s the ultimate beginner’s guide to modern nihilism (or actually antinihilism). Turns out being a nihilist is what people without awareness are and the rest are actually antinihilists, the people who try to point the futility of it all. Obviously, nihilism is a charged term through history and still nobody knows exactly what it means that they wish to say when they employ this term.
Nihilism tries to define it for modern audiences and dares you to think. Just think. That’s all.
Nihilism tries to define it for modern audiences and dares you to think. Just think. That’s all.
rob_howard's review
4.0
Entertaining read providing enough context on Nihilism and it’s foundations to keep the reader engaged.
Like other readers suggest, I feel the author was holding back at times.
Overall, a fun read. My interest is piqued; I’ll be reading more philosophy books this year.
Like other readers suggest, I feel the author was holding back at times.
Overall, a fun read. My interest is piqued; I’ll be reading more philosophy books this year.