When nothing matters: The hidden link between nihilism and crime

 

CRIME is often explained through familiar factors such as poverty, opportunity and peer pressure. Yet there is a deeper issue that receives far less attention: what happens when people stop believing that anything truly matters.

This is where nihilism becomes relevant.

Nihilism is not merely a philosophical concept. It reflects a condition in which meaning, values and moral boundaries begin to erode. When individuals no longer see life as inherently valuable or rules as binding, the internal restraints that prevent harm begin to weaken. Crime does not just become easier to commit; it becomes easier to justify.

Signs of this detachment are increasingly visible. In scams, victims are reduced to numbers. Retirees lose life savings to phone fraud, while young Malaysians are recruited as “account mules” to move illicit funds, often without fully grasping the consequences. The harm is significant, yet for offenders it can feel distant and impersonal.

In violent crime, harm frequently escalates beyond what the situation warrants. Snatch thefts can result in serious injury or death. Road rage incidents may turn fatal over minor disputes. Assaults sometimes continue even after the victim no longer poses a threat.

These acts are not always carefully calculated. In many cases, they reflect a deeper detachment from the value of human life.

In more extreme cases, violence becomes performative. The Christchurch mosque shootings, for instance, were livestreamed to maximise visibility and impact. This suggests not only ideological intent, but also a desire to assert presence and significance in a way that demands attention.

This is not to suggest that offenders consciously embrace nihilism. Rather, it points to a gradual process. Disconnection, frustration and a loss of purpose can slowly erode how individuals perceive responsibility, consequences and even other people. By the time a crime is committed, this erosion is already well underway.

For the Royal Malaysia Police, this presents a significant challenge. Policing cannot rely solely on responding to offences or identifying clear threats. The roots of such behaviour often lie earlier—in disengagement, indifference and a growing detachment from social norms.

The digital environment can intensify this process. Violence, fraud and exploitation are constantly visible online. Over time, repeated exposure may normalise harm and dull emotional responses. The boundary between observing and participating can become increasingly blurred.

At the same time, some individuals turn to crime not because they believe in something, but because they believe in nothing. Offending becomes a way to assert control, visibility or even a sense of existence. This helps explain why some crimes appear senseless: they are driven not only by gain, but by disconnection.

The law plays an essential role in setting boundaries and enforcing accountability. Courts make clear that responsibility does not disappear simply because an individual feels detached or lost. However, the law operates after harm has already occurred.

If the erosion of meaning forms part of the pathway to crime, then prevention must go deeper. It must address issues of belonging, purpose and connection—not just behaviour.

Because when nothing matters, crime is no longer a significant step. It becomes an easy one. 

The author, Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid is a Criminologist and Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Universiti Malaya.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT. 

- Focus Malaysia.