Nihilism Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A researcher doubts one surprising claim, withholds judgment, and looks for stronger evidence. Which position does this behavior best demonstrate?
Mereological nihilism because the evidence has multiple parts
Existential nihilism because the researcher lacks a life purpose
Moral nihilism because the researcher avoids judging conduct
Methodological skepticism rather than a nihilistic denial of knowledge
2. Which description most accurately represents Friedrich Nietzsche’s relationship to nihilism?
He argued that nihilism was merely a temporary political disagreement
He diagnosed nihilism as a cultural problem and explored how inherited values might be overcome
He claimed that traditional European values remained completely secure
He taught that accepting total meaninglessness was humanity’s final goal
3. Someone argues, “If life has no objective cosmic purpose, then my actions cannot affect anyone.” What is the central error in this reasoning?
It assumes that every action must be morally perfect
It confuses moral disagreement with scientific uncertainty
It assumes that cosmic purpose can be established by majority vote
It confuses the absence of inherent purpose with the absence of practical consequences or personal significance
4. What does existential nihilism most directly deny?
That people can experience happiness or satisfaction
That human life has an inherent or objectively given meaning
That physical objects exist independently of perception
That governments can exercise legitimate authority
5. A student says, “I cannot avoid choosing, and I am responsible for what my choices make of my life.” Which tradition does this statement most closely reflect?
Existentialism
Mereological nihilism
Determinism understood as the denial of all agency
Moral relativism based solely on cultural custom
6. What does mereological nihilism claim?
Physical matter is created entirely by human language
Every collection of objects forms a new conscious being
Composite objects do not fundamentally exist; only basic entities without proper parts do
Objects exist only when they have an assigned social purpose
7. A person denies that morality has an objective foundation but still personally values kindness. What follows logically from that combination?
The person must secretly believe in objective moral facts
The person cannot consistently act with compassion
Rejecting objective morality does not prevent someone from having personal values or preferences
The person has demonstrated that kindness is a universal law
8. What is epistemological nihilism primarily concerned with?
Whether genuine knowledge or justified truth claims are possible
Whether governments deserve obedience
Whether moral action should maximize happiness
Whether artworks can be objectively beautiful
9. In Nietzsche’s philosophy, the phrase “God is dead” chiefly points to what cultural development?
A literal historical event involving a divine being
The replacement of every religion by one political ideology
The scientific discovery that moral emotions do not exist
The erosion of traditional religious and metaphysical foundations for European values
10. Priya believes the universe gives her no predetermined purpose, yet she deliberately builds a meaningful life around friendship, art, and responsibility. Which response does this best illustrate?
Avoiding choice because outcomes are uncertain
Denying that the external world exists
Treating all values as logically identical
Creating meaning through chosen commitments
11. How does existentialism commonly respond to the absence of a predetermined purpose?
By claiming that scientific progress will eventually reveal a universal purpose
By emphasizing that people can shape meaning through choices and commitments
By concluding that choices and commitments cannot matter
By treating inherited social roles as the only reliable source of meaning
12. Which statement best distinguishes absurdism from straightforward existential nihilism?
Absurdism emphasizes the tension between our search for meaning and a world that supplies no clear answer
Absurdism claims that reason can prove a single cosmic purpose
Absurdism holds that every person has a fixed purpose assigned at birth
Absurdism is the view that only material objects possess moral rights
13. How is pessimism different from nihilism?
Pessimism denies physical reality, while nihilism affirms it
Pessimism concerns only politics, while nihilism concerns only religion
Pessimism expects unfavorable outcomes, while nihilism denies a relevant basis such as inherent meaning or objective value
Pessimism proves that objective moral values exist, while nihilism disproves them
14. Which claim best expresses moral nihilism?
Moral rules should be judged only by their consequences
Every culture has equally binding moral traditions
There are no objective moral facts that make actions inherently right or wrong
People should suspend moral judgment until they know every relevant fact
15. In Sartre’s existentialism, what is “bad faith”?
Evading one’s freedom by pretending a role, circumstance, or identity completely determines one’s choices
Making any decision that produces an unwanted result
Rejecting every inherited custom after careful reflection
Believing that other people possess freedom and responsibility
16. Which approach most clearly separates Søren Kierkegaard’s thought from nihilistic resignation?
His argument that uncertainty makes every commitment irrational
His emphasis on inward commitment, choice, and religious faith in the face of uncertainty
His view that social convention can eliminate personal responsibility
His claim that objective scientific evidence alone determines life’s purpose