The Third Path Nietzsche Overlooked — Reflections on Quiet Nihilism from MONSTER
The Third Path Nietzsche Overlooked — Reflections on Quiet Nihilism from MONSTER
【Content Warning】
This article discusses nihilism, death, and mental illness. Please be mindful if these topics are distressing to you. It also references the story of MONSTER, but spoilers are kept to a minimum.
“I Was Afraid of Becoming a Monster”
When I read Naoki Urasawa’s manga MONSTER, I was terrified of the protagonist, Johan.
His nihilism—“life has no meaning” and “only death is equal”—was far too similar to the ideas I myself hold.
“Am I going to end up becoming a monster like Johan?”
But as I delved deeper into the story, I realized something. Even though we start from the same nihilism, the places we arrive at are completely different. And in that difference, I discovered a “third path” that Nietzsche overlooked.
This is a personal record of the “quiet nihilism” way of living that I, someone with ASD traits, have found.
My Background
I have traits associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and am currently in the process of recovering from depression.
Through that experience, I’ve learned that self-understanding is the key to recovery.
By re-examining the nihilistic thoughts I’ve long held, I was able to clearly see both the similarities and differences between myself and Johan from MONSTER.
And I believe those insights might offer something meaningful not just to me, but to others who share similar ways of thinking.
Johan’s Nihilism — The Path to Destruction
In Naoki Urasawa’s MONSTER (1994–2001), the protagonist Johan is a symbolic embodiment of destructive nihilism.
Core Beliefs:
“Life has no meaning.” “Only death is equal.”
How It Manifests:
Destructive, outward-directed, and involving others.
Johan cannot tolerate the absence of meaning, so he tries to forcibly impose that meaninglessness on the entire world. He psychologically devours the lives of others, reducing everything to “nothing” in order to prove his own existence and his nihilism.
Outcome:
Complete isolation. The story ends with his despair: “No one will call my name.”
Reason:
His sense of self can only be established externally, through the reactions of others. He tries to fill the terror of “not existing” by destroying those around him.
My Nihilism — Quiet Acceptance
Core Beliefs:
“There never was any meaning to begin with.” “Death is equal.” “Inequality is just how things are.”
How It Manifests:
Passive, inward-directed, and non-involving of others.
I quietly accept the absence of meaning as a simple fact. I don’t see inequality as “evil”—it’s just “the way the system works.” I don’t explode with anger or hatred.
I don’t even have the energy to psychologically feed on others; I simply keep my distance with an attitude of “other people don’t really matter to me.”
Outcome:
Mental stability (fewer conflicts with others).
Reason:
My sense of self is relatively stable internally (perhaps due to ASD traits—or more accurately, a strongly self-contained inner structure). I don’t depend on others’ evaluations or gazes; I can simply be “me” without needing external validation.
The Crucial Difference Between Johan and Me
🔴 Johan (Destructive Type)
Absence of meaning: “Unforgivable” → tries to change the world
Self-validation: Uses others as mirrors by destroying them
Energy: Outward and destructive (almost too much drive)
Loneliness: Complete despair (“No one calls my name”)
Impact on others: Psychologically devours them
🔵 Me (Internally Self-Contained Type)
Absence of meaning: “That’s just how it is” → simply accepts it
Self-validation: Complete within myself; others not needed
Energy: Inward and quiet (withdraw when tired)
Loneliness: Relative stability (fine without others)
Impact on others: No involvement—“whatever”
💡 Common Ground
We both start from the same point: “There is no meaning.”
⚡ Decisive Difference
The way we establish our sense of self is different—so our destinations end up polar opposites.
Nietzsche’s Dichotomy of Nihilism
Nietzsche mainly divided nihilism into two types.
Passive Nihilism
Accepting the absence of meaning as despair, apathy, and resignation. “Since nothing matters, I don’t want to do anything.” “Everything is pointless.” This leads to stagnation. Nietzsche criticized it as a “sickness of weakness.”
Active Nihilism
Recognizing the absence of meaning, destroying old values, and then creating new ones oneself. “There’s no meaning? Fine—I’ll make my own!” This energetic direction is the path Nietzsche admired, leading toward the Übermensch.
Where does Johan fit?
He is active, yet he abandons creation altogether—or perhaps he treated “death as ultimate equality” as his form of creation? His true intent is unclear, but it seems to me there was no creation in the Nietzschean sense.
The Third Type: “There’s No Meaning, But That’s Just How It Is”
This way of landing falls into neither of Nietzsche’s categories—it is an independent third type.
Characteristics
Quietly accepts the absence of meaning as fact
Does not fall into despair or apathy; simply relaxes with “that’s just how it is”
Self-contained, without involving others
Does not force itself to create new values, yet does not completely give up either
Comparison with Nietzsche’s Dichotomy
| Aspect | Passive | Active | Third Type |
|-----------------|---------------|-----------------|---------------------|
| Reaction | Despair/stagnation | Destruction → Creation | Quiet acceptance |
| Energy direction| Inward (collapse) | Outward | Almost zero |
| Stability | Low | Medium | High |
| Nietzsche’s view| Sickness of weakness | Ideal path | Unforeseen |
What It Means to Establish the Self
People often use others to establish their sense of self. Not just Johan—in the real world, too, many seem to define themselves through others.
But basing one’s self on others is inherently unstable. Controlling others is nearly impossible.
Strength of the Third Type
This approach allows the self to be established without relying on others.
Establishing the self internally brings:
Minimal mental burden
Long-term stability
These may be significant advantages.
Affinity Between the Third Type and ASD Traits
This “there’s no meaning, but that’s just how it is” landing seems to have strong affinity with traits of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
People with ASD tend to need less external validation or social gaze to establish their sense of self; they can more easily complete “I am me” internally.
As a result, they don’t need to use others as “mirrors,” making it less likely to fall into Johan-like externally dependent, destructive nihilism.
From my own experience reaching this place while having ASD traits, I suggest that neurodiversity may naturally serve as a foundation for “quiet nihilism.”
Conclusion: “Quiet Nihilism” as Hope
This landing—“there’s no meaning, but that’s just how it is”—is by no means resignation or despair.
It is a low-burden, sustainable way of living that forces neither destruction nor creation—just quietly being here.
You don’t have to become a monster like Johan.
You don’t have to become Nietzsche’s Übermensch either.
It’s okay to simply live quietly, at your own pace, being yourself.
This is the path I, with ASD traits, have found—but perhaps it could also be one option for anyone else who shares similar thoughts.
In a world without meaning, we can still live quietly, yet surely.
I’d love to hear your reactions, questions, or resonances in the comments or with a like. It would be great to deepen our thinking together.
#Nihilism #Nietzsche #MONSTER #ASD #SelfUnderstanding #Philosophy #MentalHealth #QuietNihilism #Neurodiversity
