What Does Not Kill Us, Makes Us Stronger.
A lot of pop songs in the last five years have used the statement, "What does not kill me, only makes me strong." Many people falsely attribute this quote to these Pop stars or Hip Hop artists when in actuality the man who coined that phrase was the German Philosopher of Existentialism, Friedrich Nietzsche. This statement is used in the Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's book, "The Twilight of the Idols." Friedrich Nietzsche is known as the Existentialist who coined and defined what "Nihilism" is and how to overcome it. Nihilism takes its form as many things but Nietzsche covered most of the groundwork for what it is and how to overcome it. I have in my life encountered the state of existential dread known as Nihilism countless times in my life and have overcome it to become a greater being than I was already before. Existential Nihilism is basically the feeling, thinking, and belief that life is futile, meaningless, and possibly not worth living. That if everyday of an individuals life was to live the events of Groundhogs Day in Hell than what better then to just end one's own existence? That's when you revolt against doing such a thing as suicide, you rebel against the end of one's own existence, you revel in all aspects of your existence, for the meaning of life at face value is to live it. If the meaning of life is to live it then why not live it up to its full potential?
Types of Nihilism: Passive and Active.
There are two types of Nihilists: Passive Nihilists and Active Nihilists. Passive Nihilists succumb to the tragedy of their existential crisis, cursing their existence, and loathing everything in existence as the tragedy that it is. Active Nihilists seek to overcome the comedy of their existential crisis, feeling blessed for their existence, and loving everything in existence to find meaning, value, and purpose in this world. The Passive Nihilist is the lowest form of life where the Active Nihilist is indeed its highest. The Passive Nihilist is a laughingstock and painful embarrassment. Where the Active Nihilist is a superhuman overcoming themselves to become a greater form with each bout of ennui, existential dread, and nihilism.
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