Image of Arthur Schopenhauer

Timeline

Lifetime: 1788 - 1860 Passed: ≈ 164 years ago

Title

German Philosopher

Country/Nationality

Germany
Wikipedia

Arthur Schopenhauer

Arthur Schopenhauer was a German philosopher born on February 22, 1788, in Danzig (present-day Gdańsk, Poland). He is best known for his work "The World as Will and Representation", which was published in 1818 and expanded upon in 1844. In this work, he argues that the world is driven by a blind and irrational force that he called "will to live", which manifests in the human desire for pleasure and the avoidance of pain.

Schopenhauer's philosophy was heavily influenced by Eastern thought, particularly the Upanishads and Buddhist teachings. He believed that the world was filled with suffering and that the only way to escape this suffering was through a form of asceticism, which involved a denial of the will to live. He argued that the ultimate goal of human life was to achieve a state of detachment from the world, a state of inner peace and contentment that he called "enlightenment".

One interesting detail worth mentioning about Schopenhauer is that he was a lifelong animal rights advocate and was one of the first philosophers to argue for the ethical treatment of animals. He believed that all beings, including animals, were driven by the same blind and irrational force, and that they deserved to be treated with respect and dignity.

Schopenhauer was famous for his pessimistic views on life and his rejection of the idea of progress. He believed that the world was full of suffering, and that human beings were driven by a blind and irrational force that they could not control. Despite this, he was also known for his witty and often humorous writing style, which made his philosophy accessible to a wider audience.

Some of Schopenhauer's notable works include "The World as Will and Representation", "On the Fourfold Root of the Principle of Sufficient Reason", and "Parerga and Paralipomena". He also wrote several essays on a wide range of subjects, including aesthetics, ethics, and the nature of love.

Schopenhauer died on September 21, 1860, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in 19th-century philosophy and as a pioneering figure in the study of the will and the nature of human desire. His ideas have had a significant impact on a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, literature, and the arts.

Books by Arthur Schopenhauer

Studies in Pessimism Cover image

Studies in Pessimism

Philosophy Non-Fiction Essays
Metaphysics Evolution

Arthur Schopenhauer, an early 19th century philosopher, made significant contributions to metaphysics, ethics, and aesthetics. His work also informed theories of evolution and psychology, largely through his theory of the will to power – a concept wh...

The Art of Controversy ,The Art of Being Right Cover image

The Art of Controversy ,The Art of Being Right

Philosophy Non-Fiction
Self Help Debate Language Logic Intricate Arguments

The Art of Controversy and The Art of Being Right are two essays written by the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. The Art of Controversy deals with the strategies and tactics that can be used in arguments and debates, and focuses on the importa...

 The World as Will and Idea, Volume 1 Cover image

The World as Will and Idea, Volume 1

Philosophy Non-Fiction
Metaphysics

The World as Will and Representation is the central work of the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. The first edition was published in late 1818, with the date 1819 on the title-page. A second, two-volume edition appeared in 1844: volume one was...

The World as Will and Idea, Volume 2 Cover image

The World as Will and Idea, Volume 2

Philosophy Non-Fiction
Metaphysics

The World as Will and Representation is the central work of the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. The first edition was published in late 1818, with the date 1819 on the title-page. A second, two-volume edition appeared in 1844: volume one was...

The World as Will and Idea, Volume 3 Cover image

The World as Will and Idea, Volume 3

Philosophy Non-Fiction
Metaphysics

The World as Will and Representation is the central work of the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. The first edition was published in late 1818, with the date 1819 on the title-page. A second, two-volume edition appeared in 1844: volume one was...

Essays of Schopenhauer Cover image

Essays of Schopenhauer

Essays
Linguistics Influential Progress Philosophical Short Works Modern Logic

Schopenhauer is considered to be one of the most influential philosophers of all times. Many of his ideas and quotes have been quoted largely and have now become almost commonplace. The essays in this collection are a proof of his breakthrough contri...

The Basis Of Morality Cover image

The Basis Of Morality

Philosophy
Morality Tradition Treatise Moral Philosophical Christianity political Religious Ethics

It is a philosophical treatise that delves into the fundamental principles of ethics and morality. Written in 1840, this book is widely considered to be one of Schopenhauer's most influential works, providing an insightful and compelling argument for...

Über die Weiber Cover image

Über die Weiber

In diesem vielzitierten Essay aus dem Jahre 1851 ist Schopenhauers generell herablassende Einstellung zu Frauen zusammengefaßt. Frauen, laut Schopenhauer, sind Wesen zweiter Klasse mit weniger Vernunft als Maenner, und sind biologisch zur List und In...

World as Will and Idea Volume 1 Cover image

World as Will and Idea Volume 1

Schopenhauer used the word "will" as a human's most familiar designation for the concept that can also be signified by other words such as "desire," "striving," "wanting," "effort," and "urging." Schopenhauer's philosophy holds that all nature, inclu...

World As Will and Idea, Vol. 1 of 3 Cover image

World As Will and Idea, Vol. 1 of 3

In this work, Schopenhauer explains his fundamental idea that at the root of the reality we see around us is a Will that eternally, insatiably seeks to be satisfied. Each human Subject observes the Objects around her from the perspective of that fund...

World as Will and Idea, Vol. 2 of 3 Cover image

World as Will and Idea, Vol. 2 of 3

In this work, Schopenhauer explains his fundamental idea that at the root of the reality we see around us is a Will that eternally, insatiably seeks to be satisfied. Each human Subject observes the Objects around her from the perspective of that fund...

World as Will and Idea, Vol. 3 of 3 Cover image

World as Will and Idea, Vol. 3 of 3

In this work, Schopenhauer explains his fundamental idea that at the root of the reality we see around us is a Will that eternally, insatiably seeks to be satisfied. Each human Subject observes the Objects around her from the perspective of that fun...