Arthur Schopenhauer
German philosopher who argued that the fundamental reality is irrational Will, and that human suffering arises from its insatiable striving. His pessimist philosophy influenced Nietzsche, Wagner, Freud, and Wittgenstein. The World as Will and Representation is one of the most readable works of systematic philosophy.
Works
- The World as Will and RepresentationMetaphysics identifying reality as blind will underlying all phenomena and suffering
- Parerga and ParalipomenaCollection of miscellaneous essays and aphorisms on varied philosophical topics
- On the Basis of MoralityEthical work grounding morality in compassion and denial of selfish will
- The Fourfold Root of the Principle of Sufficient ReasonMetaphysical inquiry into causality and principle of sufficient reason
- On the Freedom of the WillEssay defending human freedom against mechanical determinism