nihilism in the book; thoughts?
Isn't nihilism a broad term for all philosophies that are against the the accepted norm? If this is true (and I think it is) the book's anarchists ideas would be nihilistic as well as Tyler Durden's apathetic "I am the all singing, all dancing crap of the world line."
Really, more books/films than you would normally think could be considering nihilistic. I think a lot of times people tend to throw the term "nihilism" around because it sounds cool (me included), but in truth it is quite a broad term that can be applied to a wide range of literary works.
A lot of people, I think, get their definitiion of nihilism from "The Big Lebowski," in which the idea is portrayed as more of an "I don't care, whatever..." sort of philosophy. This isn't necessarily the case.
Does anyone have any articles about nihilism in fight club? Or other articles about critique on fight club>?
it's only one of critiques can be used in analyzing
people see what they want to see. so does nihilism. they want to see nihilism, they'll find nihilism.
actually it is a process.
the master, Nietzsche, stated that we're naturally nihilist somehow. we live and sleep with it. experiencing decadence time and time, then brought to ground zero to re think, re value, re define.
it's natural. yet the result may vary. people have their own brain machine and instinct.
the passive will just recognize that it's crap without attempt to release free or move on.
the active will take step further and let go the decadence. moving on
i agree with thirstygerbil. yeah, it sounds cool right? 
you, me, and everyone. well, i'm a passive one i guest
in the book, fight club is the 1st book i read, yes i can see that the nameless narrator is doing effort to free him self from what he thought as his life decadence. the materialism, consumerism and advertising culture (though Nietzsche states nihilism is not the product of distress, social weariness ect; since there's nothing absolute everything is 'yes!', right?). those decadent values and the nameless narrator's efforts are indicating nihilism is running in that book.
it's worth to discuss
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I always thought nihilism wasn't as much about rejecting norms as much as it was rejecting the meaning of all things around you. These, in my mind, are two very distinct definitions.
I didn't take away from the book the notion that nothing around me has meaning, as much as the things around me don't mean what I have been told/taught/trained that they mean. This-- I don't think-- is nihilism.
The very thought of using anything (anarchy, mischief and/or other obtuse aspired agents of change) would be pointless in a world rejected by a nihilist. Change wouldn't be desired because it would never even matter.
I would said the theme would be better described as anomic. Anomic people aren't necessarily nihilists, though most nihilists are described as anomic. [insert 'chicken or the egg?' argument here]
But the angst over social norms and the theme of seeking differing and ulterior aspirations in a materialistically safe society would be moot to a true nihilist.
I didn't take away from the book the notion that nothing around me has meaning, as much as the things around me don't mean what I have been told/taught/trained that they mean. This-- I don't think-- is nihilism.
The very thought of using anything (anarchy, mischief and/or other obtuse aspired agents of change) would be pointless in a world rejected by a nihilist. Change wouldn't be desired because it would never even matter.
I would said the theme would be better described as anomic. Anomic people aren't necessarily nihilists, though most nihilists are described as anomic. [insert 'chicken or the egg?' argument here]
But the angst over social norms and the theme of seeking differing and ulterior aspirations in a materialistically safe society would be moot to a true nihilist.
Well said!
He didn't spend 6 years in grad school to be called MR. Gonzo!
The book is obviously filled with nihilism. I mean it is hard to have someone saying the line "I am the all dancing crap of the world" and not be nihilistic.