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Arthur Schopenhauer

Born in 1788 in the town of Sztutowo, Poland, Arthur Schopenhauer was a German philosopher and one of the first to posit that at its core the universe is not rational. He was a disciple of Kant, but his outlook on life was generally perceived to be far more pessimistic and negatively fatalistic. He believed that life is not in the control of man, but rather at the mercy of a cosmic, collective will that is wicked, pointless and at the root of all suffering. Schopenhauer's major work was The World as Will and Idea, but it was not well-received upon its publishing.

It is interesting to note that, upon scrutiny, Schopenhauer’s philosophy may not be as bleak as first thought, and that it actually has characteristics that are similar to certain teachings of the Eastern philosophies like Buddhism. For example, he advocated that man should strive to reduce his desires so as to attain peace of mind and suggested that this be accomplished by way of aesthetics, compassion and ascetism. Schopenhauer's work resonates deeply with many visual and musical artists, psychologists and writers.

Web Resources On Arthur Schopenhauer

SEP: Schopenhauer
Wikipedia: Schopenhauer

Book Resources On Arthur Schopenhauer

Schopenhauer and the Wild Years of Philosophy by Ewald Osers
The Cambridge Companion to Schopenhauer by Christopher Janaway (Editor)

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