The Void (philosophy)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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The Void is the philosophical concept of nothingness manifested. The notion of The Void is closely affiliated, though not exclusive, to several realms of metaphysics, including agnosticism, existentialism, monoism, and nihilism. The Void is also prevalent in numerous facets of psychology, notably logotherapy.
The manifestation of nothingness is closely associated with the contemplation of emptiness, and with human attempts to identify and personify it. As such, the concept of The Void, and ideas similar to it, have a significant and historically evolving presence in artistic and creative expression, as well as in academic, scientific and philosophical debate surrounding the nature of the human condition.
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Background
The Void as a cognomen is not easily defined, as the word itself means "empty" or "without content." The concept of The Void has existed since the dawn of philosophy. Aristotle denied its existence with his rejection of finite entities.
Metaphysics
The British philosopher Paul Brunton was one of the first Western philosophers to consider the notion of The Void as metaphysical fact.
Psychology
Religious and spiritual conceptions
Astronomy, math, and Science
Particle physics
Atomic physics, according to Brunton, has proven that the world has "derived from a mysterious No-thing."
In popular culture
Art
- Alberto Giacometti Hands Holding the Void (Invisible Object) (1934)
- Yves Klein Le Vede (The Void) (1958) and "Leap Into the Void" (1960)
Literature
See also