Laughing at Nothing

<p><b>Explores the concept of nihilism and argues that it need not imply despair but can be responded to positively.</b></p><p>Disputing the common misconception that nihilism is wholly negative and necessarily damaging to the human spirit John Marmysz offers a clear and complete definition to argue that it is compatible and indeed preferably responded to with an attitude of good humor. He carefully scrutinizes the phenomenon of nihilism as it appears in the works lives and actions of key figures in the history of philosophy literature politics and theology including Nietzsche Heidegger Camus and Mishima. While suggesting that there ultimately is no solution to the problem of nihilism Marmysz proposes a way of utilizing the anxiety and despair that is associated with the problem as a spur toward liveliness activity and the celebration of life.</p>