Culture against Itself: Nihilism as an Element in Recent Educational Thought

This article examines how the modern ideals of individualism and critical reflection contribute to the relativizing of beliefs associated with nihilism. Following an examination of the conceptual foundations of nihilism, the argument is made that emancipatory views of education foster the form of self-directing individualism and critical thought that contributes to the problem of nihilism. The article concludes with the argument that emancipatory approaches to education should be based on the idea of the individual as a social-cultural being. By moving away from the myth of the autonomous individual--which cannot be defended on either a cultural or linguistic level--emancipation becomes a more limited project; it also becomes more empowering as students learn to view themselves as part of a community that requires both renewal and preservation.