‘Meaning’ as a basis for an Anti-Nihilistic Philosophy

The core of phenomenology is consciousness, whereas the essence of our philosophy is meaning. As it is meaning that allows for the creation of consciousness, this kind of philosophy could be seen as a pre-phenomenological investigation.

Consciousness is born from meaning’s lack. Likewise, meaning is the intentionality of consciousness.

When we see the circular relationship between meaning and consciousness it uncovers the tracks of a progressive way forward for our thought. In fact, by recognising the circular nature of the relationship, we can see that the authentic drive of consciousness is not circular at all, but lineal, from the idea of meaning into Meaning itself.

The traditional, Biblical, concept of existence “I am Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the end,” implies a circularity (recognised by Nietzsche in his idea of the eternal recurrence) that has to pass through the omega or end-point of everything before it can begin again. However, Nietzsche’s sense of circularity is different. Ironically for the author of the Will to Power, eternal recurrence is brought about by a lack of meaningful power at the end-point, rendering it incapable of pulling us forward with enough force to drag us beyond the gravity of nihilistic meanings.

Nihilistic meanings are more dangerous than meaningfulness because they generate a false impression of authenticity, and it is this false sense of reality that dissuades us from looking for any essential authenticity in our search for meaning.

For this nihilistic trap to be overcome, a new perspective of reality has to be fashioned through meaningfulness that envisages a purposeful end-point, i.e. a philosophy that is supported by the perception of a meaningful teleology. This is the basis of our pre-phenomenological task.