SSC MTS 2026 PYQ — Question 90

SSC MTS - 16 Feb 2026 - Shift 2 • English • Q90

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions based on the passage:

The concept of nihilism suggests that there is no inherent meaning, value, or truth in life. It has emerged in modern times, particularly as a result of Friedrich Nietzsche's ideas about the loss of tradition, a) religious or moral authority, and b) reason and logic, which were all once very strong in Western culture. Nihilism is mostly found in modern society, which has been experiencing rapid technological growth and an increasingly fragmented culture because of ideological fatigue and the pace of technological advancements. Nihilism produces feelings of isolation, skepticism, and apathy towards morality.

While nihilism uncovers how fragile belief systems are, it also raises the question of how one can be held responsible, have a sense of purpose, or exercise free will without a basis in something like religious, metaphysical, or logical authority. Therefore, nihilism is not only a means of negating things but also an insightful way to highlight how each of us will have to deal with the emptiness created when something we once held to be true collapses, and to evaluate the basis of what we consider important.

How does Nihilism usually affect people emotionally?

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The passage explicitly addresses the emotional impact of nihilism in the first paragraph:

"Nihilism produces feelings of isolation, skepticism, and apathy towards morality."