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Arthur Schopenhauer

Final Report: Payton Hunt H01

Early life:

    Arthur Schopenhauer was born on February 22, 1788 in Danzig, Poland. He had wealthy parents, and his father wanted him to follow in his footsteps and become a merchant. He even sent Arthur to France for two years to live with a different family so he could learn French. However, Arthur wanted to pursue knowledge and academics. Rather than force him into his own career, his father offered a proposition to Arthur: he could either go with his parents on a tour of Europe, and apprentice with a merchant, or he could attend a "gymnasium" in preparation for attending university. Arthur chose to go with his parents, and on this trip he witnessed profound suffering of the poor, which helped shape his pessimistic philosophical worldview.

    He attended the University of Gottingen and he originally studied medicine. He later began to study philosophy by reading the work of Plato and Immanuel Kant, who were the most influential people to Schopenhauer's philosophy. His philosophy was also in direct opposition of Hegel's theory of idealism which is defined as, "the philosophy that believes the ultimate nature of reality is ideal, or based upon ideas, values, or essences. The external, or real world cannot be separated from consciousness, perception, mind, intellect and reason in the sense of science."

Schopenhauer's Philosophy: 

    Schopenhauer is known as the, "Philosopher of pessimism." In his book, The World as Will and Representation, Schopenhauer stated his beliefs that our lives were driven by our "will." The will can be defined as something that someone desires or ordains. However, Schopenhauer did not believe that it was possible to satisfy the will. He denounced existence to a power struggle between trying to satisfy the will, but never being able to do so. Schopenhauer stated, “In the first place, no man is happy but strives his whole life long after a supposed happiness which he seldom attains, and even if he does it is only to be disappointed with it.” 

    Despite his pessimistic views, Schopenhauer was fascinated by the fine arts, and he loved animals. Schopenhauer believed that the arts, with a strong emphasis on music, temporarily relieved people from some of their suffering. He also was an advocate for animals' rights. He stated, "The assumption that animals are without rights and the illusion that our treatment of them has no moral significance is a positively outrageous example of Western crudity and barbarity. Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality." I believe that he felt more emotion towards animals than he did towards humans. Schopenhauer also had many poodles throughout his life, all of which he named Atma. Atma is the Hindu word for, "the supreme universal soul from which all other souls arise." 

    Overall, Arthur Schopenhauer was a pessimist at heart, and he believed that the world is full of suffering and dissatisfaction. However, even this grumpy man found a temporary relief from his negativity through his love of the fine arts and his love of animals, especially poodles. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0zmfNx7OM4

(video on Schopenhauer if you are interested in watching it)

Quiz:

1. Where, and what year was Arthur Schopenhauer born?

2. What did Schopenhauer's father want him to become when he grew up? What did he do instead?

3. Which philosophers inspired Schopenhauer's philosophy? 

4. What famous book did Schopenhauer write?

5. What did Schopenhauer name all of his poodles?  

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you believe that Schopenhauer would have been more successful if he had became a merchant like his father, or do you believe that his pessimistic ideas had a significant impact on the world of philosophy?

2. What are some things that "relieve you from suffering" in day to day life?

3. Do you believe that it is impossible to satisfy the desires or our will? 

Link to my midterm presentation: https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2018/10/philosophies-under-sea.html