Existentialism versus Nihilism
Both begin from the loss of any pre-given meaning. Nihilism ends there. Existentialists take it as a starting point and say each person must make an identity and values through their own choices.
What they share
Both begin from the loss of any pre-given meaning. Nietzsche described the death of God and the loss of moral absolutes as leaving us facing existence “without meaning or aim”, and existentialists and nihilists alike take that seriously.
Where they differ
- The end of the road or the start. Nihilism holds that life has no intrinsic meaning or value, and in wider forms that moral values are baseless or knowledge impossible. Existentialists take the same ground as a starting point. Existence comes before essence: there is no pre-given human nature, and it is up to each individual to make an identity through choices. Sartre held that people can make their lives meaningful by inventing themselves and their values.
- Authenticity. For existentialists an authentic life breaks with tradition and convention and courageously affirms the freedom and contingency of our condition. Nihilism, as a position, asks for nothing of the sort.
- How far the doubt goes. Epistemological nihilism denies that knowledge and truth are possible. Existentialism makes no such claim. Its subject is how to live as a free person.
A question that separates them
- Can we make meaning? “Meaning is not given, so it is ours to make through what we choose” against “Nothing matters, and anything we make up is not real meaning”.
- Does choosing matter? “A life of honest choice, owned by the person, is worth living” against “No choice makes any difference in the end”.
Written by epchē in our own words, and checked against independent sources on 8 October 2026. The sources are listed below.
Read each on its own
Sources we used
- Existentialism · Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, read on 8 October 2026
- Existentialism · Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, read on 8 October 2026
- Nihilism · Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, read on 8 October 2026
- Nihilism · Wikipedia, read on 8 October 2026