Final answer:
The 'death of God' as proposed by Nietzsche implies a transformation in finding objective meaning and morality without a divine basis, leading to a world of subjective interpretation and individual responsibility for creating values.
Step-by-step explanation:
When German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche famously declared that "God is dead," he implied a significant shift in the way humanity would perceive objective meaning and value in the world. The "death of God" signifies the collapse of a universal, divine source as the foundation for morality and truth, leading to a world where the only meaning is that which humans ascribe to it. In such a view, with the absence of God, nothing holds universal meaning, thus everything is open to subjective interpretation. This ushers in an era where individuals must confront the "abyss"—a reality without fixed ethical mandates or absolute truths.
Objective values are often argued to require a divine source to garner their unconditional authority and validity. With the removal of a divine arbiter, there arises an existential query: Does morality still have a universal anchor? This question aligns with the concerns raised by Nietzsche and others, who suggest a potentially nihilistic outcome where "all is permitted" in the absence of divine guidance. Conversely, the challenge becomes how society can construct a coherent ethical framework purely through human rationality and consensus.
Existentialist philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre further argue that humans must create their own essence through choices, as they are "condemned to be free." The responsibility for crafting values and meaning thus falls squarely on human shoulders, emphasizing human autonomy and the inherent potential for self-determination.