Arthur Schopenhauer
Full Name and Common Aliases
Arthur Schopenhauer, often referred to simply as Schopenhauer, was a German philosopher known for his profound pessimism and philosophical clarity. His work has left an indelible mark on the landscape of Western philosophy, influencing a wide array of thinkers and artists.
Birth and Death Dates
Arthur Schopenhauer was born on February 22, 1788, in Danzig, Prussia (now Gdańsk, Poland), and he passed away on September 21, 1860, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Schopenhauer was German by nationality. He was primarily a philosopher, but his work also touched on areas such as psychology, literature, and the arts. His philosophical writings have been pivotal in shaping existential and nihilistic thought.
Early Life and Background
Arthur Schopenhauer was born into a wealthy merchant family. His father, Heinrich Floris Schopenhauer, was a successful businessman, and his mother, Johanna Schopenhauer, was a well-known writer and salonnière. The family moved to Hamburg when Arthur was five years old, following the annexation of Danzig by Prussia. Schopenhauer's early education was marked by extensive travel across Europe, which his father believed would prepare him for a career in commerce. However, after his father's untimely death, Schopenhauer pursued his true passion for philosophy and academia.
He enrolled at the University of Göttingen in 1809, initially studying medicine before switching to philosophy. Schopenhauer was deeply influenced by the works of Immanuel Kant and Plato, which laid the foundation for his own philosophical inquiries.
Major Accomplishments
Schopenhauer's major accomplishment lies in his development of a comprehensive philosophical system that emphasized the primacy of the will over intellect. His magnum opus, "The World as Will and Representation", published in 1818, introduced the concept of the "will" as the fundamental reality underlying all phenomena. This work challenged the prevailing idealism of his time and offered a unique perspective that contrasted sharply with the optimism of Enlightenment thought.
Despite initial neglect, Schopenhauer's ideas gained traction later in his life, particularly influencing existentialist and nihilist philosophers. His emphasis on the irrational aspects of human nature and the futility of desire resonated with many thinkers who followed.
Notable Works or Actions
Schopenhauer's most notable work, "The World as Will and Representation", is a cornerstone of his philosophical legacy. In this text, he argues that the world is driven by an irrational and insatiable will, which manifests in human desires and suffering. His other significant works include "On the Fourfold Root of the Principle of Sufficient Reason" and "Parerga and Paralipomena", the latter of which helped to popularize his ideas in the latter part of his life.
Schopenhauer was also known for his essays on aesthetics, where he explored the redemptive power of art and music as a means to transcend the suffering inherent in human existence.
Impact and Legacy
Arthur Schopenhauer's impact on philosophy and culture is profound. His ideas laid the groundwork for existentialism and influenced notable figures such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Sigmund Freud, and Richard Wagner. Schopenhauer's exploration of the darker aspects of human nature and his critique of rationalism provided a counterpoint to the dominant philosophical trends of his time.
His work also resonated with artists and writers, including Leo Tolstoy, Thomas Mann, and Marcel Proust, who found in Schopenhauer's pessimism a reflection of their own artistic and existential concerns.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Arthur Schopenhauer is widely quoted and remembered for his incisive and often provocative insights into the human condition. His aphoristic style and ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity have made his quotes enduringly popular. Schopenhauer's exploration of themes such as the futility of desire, the nature of suffering, and the role of art in providing solace continues to resonate with readers seeking to understand the complexities of life.
His philosophical pessimism, while stark, offers a lens through which to view the challenges of existence, making his work both timeless and relevant. Schopenhauer's legacy endures not only in the realm of philosophy but also in the broader cultural and intellectual landscape, where his ideas continue to inspire and provoke thought.
Quotes by Arthur Schopenhauer
Arthur Schopenhauer's insights on:
The deep pain that is felt at the death of every friendly soul arises from the feeling that there is in every individual something which is inexpressible, peculiar to him alone, and is, therefore, absolutely and irretrievably lost.
Ordinary people think merely of spending time, great people think of using it.
Exaggeration in every sense is as essential to newspaper writing as it is to the writing of plays: for the point is to make as much as possible of every occurrence.
Each day is a little life every waking and rising a little birth, every fresh morning a little youth, every going to rest and sleep a little death.
It is well-known that evils are alleviated by the fact that we bear them in common. People seem to regard boredom as one of these and therefore get together in order to be bored in common.
A man can be himself alone so long as he is alone … if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.
A man can surely do what he wills to do, but he cannot determine what he wills.
A man can be himself only so long as he is alone and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.