ACTIVE NIHILISM AND PASSIVE NIHILISM IN NIETZSCHE PHILOSOPHY

Abstract

When studying the works of Nietzsche, looking at the problem of nihilism, it is noticed that it can take some forms. We find a nihilism with destructive potential that can serve two principles: destroyer and creator or destroyer and suicidal, the first one can be found as in art, and the second, in the ascetic ideas of the church, for example. The philosopher describes that nihilism can be synonymous with power or decadence: active nihilism and passive nihilism. Active nihilism expresses strength, change, radicality, affirmation elevating the individual to a de-alienating existence. While passive nihilism denotes an indication of weakness, acceptance and resignation. Thus, in the conception of Nietzsche nihilism assumes a dialectical structure in the sense that it exposes a countermovement, since negation can be used to create new results, thus denotes a productive negativity of nihilism. The philosopher then proposes to overcome nihilism by himself, a fact that implies taking as antidote the poison itself, such a measure, although reckless, is still preferable to abandon humanity to the slow suicide of passive nihilism. Therefore, it is a question of accelerating the course, of choosing between elevation or decline. Seen in this way, nihilism is approached as a necessary evil, a pathological intermediate state, which constitutes a difficult test, such as "passing through fire" to then become a resolute and assertive individual.