ACIM is NOT nihilism

The term "nihilism" comes from the Latin word "nihil", which translates to the English word "nothing". Most commonly, the philosophical doctrine of nihilism is presented in the form of existential nihilism. Existential nihilism argues that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value.

Moral nihilists assert that morality does not inherently exist, and that any established moral values are abstractly contrived. Subsequently there are no moral values with which to uphold a rule or logically prefer one action over another.

Nihilism can take an metaphysical or ontological form meaning that, contrary to our belief, perceived aspects of reality do not actually exist as such. Upon realizing there are no necessary norms, rules, or laws, one may develop a mood of despair at the perceived pointlessness of existence.

Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) posited an early form of nihilism which he referred to as "levelling". Levelling was the process of suppressing individuality to a point where the individual's uniqueness becomes non-existent and nothing meaningful in his existence can be affirmed.

"Levelling at its maximum is like the stillness of death, where one can hear one's own heartbeat, a stillness like death, into which nothing can penetrate, in which everything sinks, powerless. One person can head a rebellion, but one person cannot head this levelling process, for that would make him a leader and he would avoid being levelled. Each individual can in his little circle participate in this levelling, but it is an abstract process, and levelling is abstraction conquering individuality."

– Søren Kierkegaard, The Present Age

A Course in Miracles does not present or support a philosophy of existential nihilism.

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Tom Fox
Louisville, Kentucky

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