Arthur Schopenhauer

The German philosopher explains his thoughts about intellectual perception and abstract representation and critically analyzes Kant's ideas and teachings. Bibliogs

The World as Will and Representation

jack

not sure how to feel about this one. i found the first and fourth book very compelling. i think his account of art is bogus. there are some glaring contradictions that he “solves,” but his solution doesn’t really satisfy me (especially the nothingness he accounts for at the end. where is the idea, if the world is merely will represented? how does man go against this? wouldn’t any negation be a further act in support of the will? i’m also not convinced by the singling out of the wholistic quality of the will as something that needs to be revered. even if we know this about the will [how?], why would this be a quality that drives our actions in the world? why not some quality we don’t have access to?). but i think his account of asceticism is instantly compelling, and i’m always ready to read someone who has this much reverence for kant. overall this was very provocative, even if i don’t think i’ll be openly singing his praises any time soon.

The World as Will and Representation

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