Historical nihilism is the view that there are no objective or knowable truths about the past. Historical accounts are fictions and it is impossible to know what really happened. All historical narratives are subjective interpretations and there are no facts independent of the interpretations of historians.
Proponents of historical nihilism argue that the past is gone and we cannot have direct access to it. We only have fragments left that are interpreted through the lens of the present. Historical records are incomplete, often biased or distorted, and different historians interpret the same evidence in different ways based on their own perspectives and assumptions. There is no objective basis by which to judge competing historical interpretations.
Critics counter that while historical knowledge is imperfect and fragmentary, it is still possible to construct narratives that are more accurate and truthful than others. Not all interpretations are equally valid or plausible. There are facts of the matter that exist independent of our interpretations, and we can get closer to the truth by rigorously evaluating evidence and using valid historical methods. Some degree of objectivity in history is possible, even if it is difficult to achieve.
In summary, historical nihilism is an extreme form of historical relativism that denies the possibility of any objective knowledge about the past. It highlights the challenges involved in historical inquiry but overlooks the ways in which we can still achieve a limited and imperfect objectivity. The truth likely lies somewhere in between the extremes of nihilism and an unachievable perfect objectivity.