Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20555 in Books
• Published on: 1967-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 694 pages

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

Customer Reviews

A readable German philosophy that's worth reading!!!
Schopenhauer proves that a German philosopher does not have to be nearly unintelligible to appear profound. Unlike Hegel and Heidegger, Schopenhauer does not hide behind ambiguous words or phrases. To the reader, Schopenhauer's views are as profound as they are clear. Starting where Kant left off, he gives new meaning to the word will; he makes will the thing in itself. Both volumes are essential reading. The first offers his entire system. From epistemology to metaphysics, to a great essay on where his philosophy differs from Kant's, the first volume is the foundation for the second. The second volume is classic Schopenhauer; this is the acid-tongued curmudgeon most people think of when they bother to think of him at all. The sections on death and the metaphysics of sexual love are mind-blowing. As it is expressed in his masterpiece, The World as Will and Representation, Schopenhauer's genius and originality of thinking tower over the views of most thinkers being pushed in universities today.

A Neglected Thinker
In the dogmatic rigid world of academic philosophy, rarely are "outsiders" fully appreciated. Especially when capable of lucid and lively expository skills. Schopenauer's well known and explicit challenge of Hegel as the legitimate heir to Kant doomed him to a minor status in his lifetime. However, his insights and doctrines have provided much material incorporated by others, such as Nietzche, Freud, Jung. His recognition of the legitimacy of Oriental thought preceded Western appreciation as well. For those willing to devote the time to a thorough reading, a full and comprehensive world view emerges. The role of the unconscious, the dualities in the struggle between reason and emotion, the valuation of a pragmatic but compassionate ethic are some of the still worthy expositions in his opus. Allowing for some of the local references and historical context, a true and lasting example of real philosophizing as it was envisioned in classical Greek tradition.The pursuit of truth and knowledge as an end worthy of devotion. Maybe he was a bit of a cranky eccentric, but he was a true individual who dared to pursue his own insights to their logical conclusions.

Schopenhauer changed my life
Prior to reading The World as Will and Representation I was well in to the rat race of human existence. Objectives for me were how much power and influence I could get and relating the acquisition of possessions to status.

Schopenhauer led me to search for the truths of what life is really about. I don't claim to absolutely apprehend those truths but at least I now have some knowledge of the issues of living; 'the unexamined life is not worth living'?

For me The World of Will and Representation was written by a guy who had enormous insights in to what life really is and suffered, and had enjoyment, through that reality; in other words he knew what life was about and was prepared, even put his whole life in to, telling us how it really is.

He was also incredibly human. His works show the frustrations of life that we all share and yet he overcame them, not without some fighting and acerbic rhetoric, to do what he had to do.

If you do read Schopenhauer then certainly read his message, but also read the character of a human being [it may well be us] that underlies that message.