Nihilism Is the Cause Of School Shootings

Ernesto Antunez/Staff Writer

School shootings are now a dime a dozen in America. But the $64,000 question is why?

Surely this cannot simply be the result of gun ownership, as it has been part and parcel of the American experience since time immemorial. Plus, guns themselves are purely neutral devices requiring humans to pull the trigger and either turn it into a tool of righteous defense or malicious offense.

The key to understanding the rise of school shootings therefore must be found outside the purely physical realm of mere weaponry and instead in the intellectual and moral realm. What is the moral and intellectual difference between today’s America and that of our grandfathers? 

This dismal tide of ever-increasing societal nihilism was the inevitable child of the social revolution of the ‘60s that first overthrew the old moral values, then eventually led to the overthrow of all moral values to the point where any low act is now seen as legitimate as long as “you are not hurting anyone else.” Today’s rap music, which exults theft, rape and all forms of the basest behavior, and the instinctual use of expletives by young men and women perfectly exemplifies this, as well as the general apathy and moral idiocy shown towards themselves and others.

Human life and relationships are thus turned into purely mercenary affairs where nothing is sacred and, paradoxically, nothing is truly profane. Many young people in the West seek a way out of this nihilistic void whether in politics or all-compassing religions, while others plunge into self-destructive hedonism. 

A vicious percentage decide to lash out at the meaningless society around them via shooting rampages to “watch the world burn,” and so, through extreme carnage, step outside the void. The more converts nihilism wins among our young people, the larger this vicious percentage will be. 

There is no easy solution to this dangerous rot, but surely recognizing that there is such a rot (and that it is not traceable to inanimate objects but animate human beings) is the first step. 

Unfortunately, as long as this nihilistic state of play continues, school shootings will maintain their upward climb. The kids are not alright, and they are crying out for help and guidance in all sorts of ways, mass shootings being the bloodiest.

Featured image by marneejill on Flickr.

DISCLAIMER:

The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of PantherNOW Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

Have questions or comments for our writers? Send an email to opinion@fiusm.com with your name and the name of the column in the subject line.