Crossword Genius

'Nothing exists' encapsulates the core of this mindset primarily (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nihilism

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'this mindset primarily' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'nothing exists encapsulates the core' is the wordplay.
'nothing' becomes 'nihil' ('nihil' can be a synonym of 'zero').
'exists' becomes 'is' ('be' can be a synonym of 'exist').
'encapsulates the core' becomes 'm' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'nihil'+'is'+'m'='NIHILISM'

'of' acts as a link.

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(Other definitions for nihilism that I've seen before include "Belief that life is meaningless" , "complete lack of principle" , "Philosophical belief that nothing in the world has a real existence" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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