Arthur Schopenhauer
Arthur Schopenhauer: Exploring His Philosophy
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)
He was a German philosopher widely known for his pessimistic approach and his influence on Western philosophy. He was born in Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland) and developed a philosophy deeply influenced by the German idealism of Immanuel Kant and Eastern philosophy, especially Buddhism.
His philosophy in one sentence:
Arthur Schopenhauer believed that behind everything in the world there is a force called “Will”, which makes us desire things and feel dissatisfied, but he believed that by understanding and controlling it, we could find inner peace.
His philosophy explained to a 10-year-old:
Imagine that there is a great invisible energy called “Will” that makes you want things like toys, food, and fun. But sometimes wanting things makes us feel sad or angry when we don’t get them. Schopenhauer tells us that if we learn to be happy without always wanting more and more, we can be like superheroes of happiness.
His philosophy explained for an adult:
Schopenhauer argued that behind the visible appearances of our world, there is a deep force called “Will.” This Will is what drives everything, from our daily needs to our deepest desires. However, he believed that this Will is also the cause of our suffering, as it always makes us want more and feel dissatisfaction. The key to happiness, according to him, was to transcend this Will through self-control and deep understanding of ourselves.
Its positive aspects:
Schopenhauer reminds us that finding happiness is not just about having things, but about finding inner peace. His ideas challenge us to be aware of our own motivations and desires, and to seek satisfaction in the present rather than constantly longing for more. He also emphasizes the importance of compassion, recognizing that all human beings share suffering and therefore we should be kind to one another.
Its negative aspects:
A common criticism of Schopenhauer’s philosophy is that his focus on suffering can be overly pessimistic and dark. Some argue that it can overlook life’s many joys and satisfactions. Furthermore, his idea of denying the Will to achieve peace can be difficult to understand and apply in practice, since will and desire are a natural part of the human experience.
A real-life problem:
Imagine a person who is always looking to have more and more money. She works long hours and constantly worries about accumulating wealth, but despite all her efforts, she never seems to be truly happy or satisfied.
Following Schopenhauer’s philosophy, the solution would be for this person to take a moment to reflect on their desires and their constant search for wealth. He should try to understand that the unbridled pursuit of more material things will not necessarily lead to happiness. Instead, he could try to find satisfaction in the simple things in life and learn to enjoy the present instead of always wanting more.
A paradox or dilemma of this philosophy:
A paradox in Schopenhauer’s philosophy is that although he tells us that finding peace involves controlling our desires and needs, he also recognizes that our human nature is rooted in the “Will” to want more. So how can we completely deny that Will if it is part of who we are?
An opposite philosophy:
A philosophy opposite to Schopenhauer’s is “Hedonism”, which says that the search for pleasure and personal satisfaction is the main goal in life. In contrast to Schopenhauer’s idea that desire is the cause of suffering, hedonism argues that seeking pleasure and avoiding pain is what we should prioritize.
Hedonism focuses on seeking happiness through the satisfaction of desires and the maximization of pleasure. Unlike Schopenhauer, who believes that desire is the source of suffering, hedonism suggests that enjoying life to the fullest is the key to a fulfilling life.
Positive aspects of the opposite philosophy:
Hedonism focuses on finding pleasure and satisfaction in life. Its positive aspects include recognition of the importance of enjoying experiences and seeking happiness. It advocates maximizing pleasurable moments and minimizing suffering, which can lead to a life full of joy and well-being.
Negative aspects of the opposite philosophy:
One of the main negative aspects of hedonism is that it can lead to an unbridled pursuit of pleasure without considering the long-term consequences. This could result in impulsive decisions and avoidance of challenging situations that, although difficult, could lead to significant personal growth. Furthermore, the constant search for pleasure can cause people to become addicted to superficial and fleeting experiences.
Comparison between Schopenhauer’s philosophy and hedonism:
Schopenhauer’s philosophy focuses on the denial of the Will and finding peace through self-control and understanding our desires. He is based on the idea that desire is the root of suffering. On the other hand, hedonism is based on seeking pleasure and satisfaction as the path to happiness. While Schopenhauer emphasizes the importance of moderation and control of desires, hedonism focuses more on the active pursuit of pleasure.
Both philosophies approach the pursuit of happiness differently. Schopenhauer suggests that the path to peace is to control and transcend desires, while hedonism suggests that the active pursuit of pleasure is the path to satisfaction. Each approach has its own merits and challenges, and choosing between them depends on each individual’s personal perspective.
Sources
Books:
- “El mundo como voluntad y representación” (1818)“Aforismos sobre la sabiduría de la vida” (1851)
“Schopenhauer y la voluntad” de Franco Volpi
Websites:
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – “Arthur Schopenhauer”: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/schopenhauer/
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy – “Arthur Schopenhauer”: https://iep.utm.edu/schopenh/
Philosophy Pages – “Arthur Schopenhauer” : https://www.philosophypages.com/ph/scho.htm
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