Download Nihilism in Turgenev`s `Fathers and Sons` Nihilism (from the Latin

Nihilism in Turgenev’s ‘Fathers and Sons’
Nihilism (from the Latin Nihil, nothing) is a philosophical position that argues that existence is without
objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value.
Nihilists generally assert that objective morality does not exist, and that no action is logically preferable to any
other about the moral value of one action over another.
Nihilists who argue that there is no objective morality may claim that existence has no intrinsic higher meaning
or goal. They may also claim that there is no reasonable proof or argument for the existence of a higher ruler or
creator, or posit that even if higher rulers or creators exist, humanity has no moral obligation to worship them.
The term nihilism is sometimes used synonymously with anomie to denote a general mood of despair at the
pointlessness of existence.
Movements such as Dada, Futurism, and Deconstructionism, among others, have been identified by
commentators as ‘nihilistic’ at various times in various contexts. Often, this means or is meant to imply that the
beliefs of the accuser are more substantial or truthful, whereas the beliefs of the accused are nihilistic, and thereby
comparatively amount to nothing (or are simply claimed to be destructively amoralistic).
Nihilism is also a characteristic that has been ascribed to times: for example, Jean Baudrillard and others have
called postmodernity a nihilistic epoch, and some Christian theologians and figures of religious authority have
asserted that postmodernity and many aspects of modernity represent the rejection of God, and therefore are
nihilistic.
Early in the nineteenth century, Friedrich Jacobi used the word to negatively characterize transcendental
idealism. It only became popularized, however, after its appearance in Ivan Turgenev's novel ‘Fathers and Sons’
(1862) where he used ‘nihilism’ to describe the crude scientism espoused by his character Bazarov who preaches a
creed of total negation.
In Russia, nihilism became identified with a loosely organized revolutionary movement (C.1860-1917) that
rejected the authority of the state, church, and family. In his early writing, anarchist leader Mikhael Bakunin (18141876) composed the notorious entreaty still identified with nihilism: “Let us put our trust in the eternal spirit which
destroys and annihilates only because it is the unsearchable and eternally creative source of all life--the passion for
destruction is also a creative passion!” (Reaction in Germany, 1842)
The movement advocated a social arrangement based on rationalism and materialism as the sole source of
knowledge and individual freedom as the highest goal. By rejecting man's spiritual essence in favor of a solely
materialistic one, nihilists denounced God and religious authority as antithetical to freedom. The movement
eventually deteriorated into an ethos of subversion, destruction, and anarchy, and by the late 1870s, a nihilist was
anyone associated with clandestine political groups advocating terrorism and assassination.
The earliest philosophical positions associated with what could be characterized as a nihilistic outlook are
those of the Skeptics. Because they denied the possibility of certainty, Skeptics could denounce traditional truths as
unjustifiable opinions. When Demosthenes (c.371-322 BC), for example, observes, "What he wished to believe, that
is what each man believes" (Olynthiac), he posits the relational nature of knowledge. Extreme skepticism, then, is
linked to epistemological nihilism, which denies the possibility of knowledge and truth; this form of nihilism is currently
identified with postmodern anti-foundationalism. Nihilism, in fact, can be understood in several different ways.
Political Nihilism, as noted, is associated with the belief that the destruction of all existing political, social, and
religious order is a prerequisite for any future improvement. Ethical nihilism or moral nihilism rejects the possibility of
absolute moral or ethical values. Instead, good and evil are nebulous, and values addressing such are the product of
nothing more than social and emotive pressures. Existential nihilism is the notion that life has no intrinsic meaning or
value, and it is, no doubt, the most commonly used and understood sense of the word today.
Max Sterner's (1806-1856) attacks on systematic philosophy, his denial of absolutes, and his rejection of
abstract concepts of any kind often places him among the first philosophical nihilists. For Sterner, achieving
individual freedom is the only law; and the state, which necessarily imperils freedom, must be destroyed. Even
beyond the oppression of the state, though, are the constraints imposed by others because their very existence is an
obstacle compromising individual freedom. Thus, Sterner argues that existence is an endless ‘war of each against
all.’ (The Ego and its Own, trans. 1907)
Nihilism in Turgenev’s ‘Fathers and Sons’ has several characters that hold strong views of the world. For
example, Pavel believes that Russia needs structure from such things as institution, religion, and class hierarchy. On
the other hand, Madame Odintzov views the world as simple so long as she keeps it systematic and free from
interference.
This commentary will focus on perhaps the most interesting and complex character in ‘Fathers and Sons’:
Bazarov.
Vladimir Nabakov writes, “Turgenev takes his creature out of a self-imposed pattern and places him in the
normal world of chance.” By examining Bazarov, I will attempt to make sense of this statement. Using nihilism as a
starting point, I am going look at Bazarov’s views and interpretations of science, government, and institution. Next, I
will turn to the issue relationships and finally I will examine Bazarov’s death and the stunning truths it reveals. These
issues combined with the theme of nihilism will prove that chance, or fate is a strong force, which cannot easily be
negated.
Nihilism as a concept is used throughout ‘Fathers and Sons’. To gain a better understanding of the ideas
behind this term let’s look at what Bazarov says on the subject.
“We base our conduct on what we recognize as useful... the most useful thing we can do is to repudiate – and
so we repudiate.” (123)
The base concept of nihilism is to deny or negate, and as we learn later in the same paragraph, to negate
everything. With this ‘destruction’ of everything from science to art, there is no building for nihilists, as Bazarov says,
“That is not our affair.” (126)
Nihilists view the current structure of society as concerned with such trivialities as ‘art’ and ‘parliament’ while
ignoring real life issues such as food, freedom, and equality.