What is Schopenhauer's philosophy?

What is Schopenhauer's philosophy?

Schopenhauer's metaphysics and philosophy of nature led him to the doctrine of pessimism: the view that sentient beings, with few exceptions, are bound to strive and suffer greatly, all without any ultimate purpose or justification and thus life is not really worth living.

Was Arthur Schopenhauer a nihilist?

Though it can be argued, Schopenhauer did think there was a purpose and meaning to life, by overcoming and denying the will to live. His positing a morality and purpose and meaning though very limited, disqualifies him as a nihilist.

Did Schopenhauer read Darwin?

Schopenhauer did not read Darwin's The Origin of the Species which was published in 1859, that is, 1 year before the philosopher's death, but he had read a journal note about the book (Soria Esteban, 2016).

Does Schopenhauer believe in God?

In Schopenhauer's Manuscript Remains or Religion: a Dialogue he never declares himself as atheist. Atheists don't believe in God and don't care about it.

How does Schopenhauer explain about the will?

According to Schopenhauer, the will is the 'inner essence' of the entire world, i.e. the Kantian thing-in-itself (Ding an sich), and exists independently of the forms of the principle of sufficient reason that govern the world as representation.

What did Schopenhauer write?

Schopenhauer's main occupation during his stay in Dresden was his seminal philosophical work, The World as Will and Representation, which he started writing in 1814 and finished in 1818.

What did Schopenhauer read?

Schopenhauer read the Latin translation and praised the Upanishads in his main work, The World as Will and Representation (1819), as well as in his Parerga and Paralipomena (1851), and commented, In the whole world there is no study so beneficial and so elevating as that of the Upanishads.

Is Schopenhauer religious?

His notes and comments on Schleiermacher's lectures show that Schopenhauer was becoming very critical of religion and moving towards atheism. He learned by self-directed reading; besides Plato, Kant and Fichte he also read the works of Schelling, Fries, Jacobi, Bacon, Locke, and much current scientific literature.