Beyond Youth Nihilism; Philosophy and the Empowerment of Young People “Not in Education, Employment or Training”

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Professor, Faculty of Philosophy, Pontifical University Antonianum, Holy See, Italy

10.22034/jpiut.2025.69915.4298

Abstract

The growing phenomenon of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs) represents a significant challenge for society and, even more so, for the world of education itself, even more so for the world of work. According to many educators and philosophers, the reasons why so many young people in various countries are giving up both on continuing their studies and actively seeking employment can often be traced back to a broader sense of mistrust, a profound mistrust that many young people feel towards the future and, indeed, the world as a whole. Yet, human beings do not simply experience the world: they live a vision of the world. From this vision arises their perception of existence, of their capacity to change life and society for the better, and therefore of the possibility that the future may once again appear as a promise rather than a threat. In the face of youthful nihilism, philosophy could offer meaningful paths that lead to a renewed and positive way of being in the world and imagining the future. Education through philosophy can therefore potentially contribute to addressing the widespread phenomena of youth distress and educational impoverishment of our time. In this article, the author presents a case study of a philosophical practices workshop for young NEETs, designed to address participants' self- and worldview, helping to boost their self-esteem and confidence in themselves and their future. This educational experience is framed within a theoretical framework that highlights the transformative and emancipatory potential of philosophy as a radical educational dimension.

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Journal of Philosophical Investigations
Volume 19, Issue 53 - Serial Number 53
Articles
Issue 53, Winter 2026
December 2025
Pages 757-776

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