Arthur Schopenhauer
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) was a German philosopher, best known for his profound and famously pessimistic philosophy, and for the elegance and clarity of his writing. Long overlooked, he became hugely influential in the later 19th and 20th centuries, shaping thinkers, writers, artists, and psychologists.
In his masterpiece, The World as Will and Representation, Schopenhauer argued that reality is driven by a blind, striving force he called the 'Will,' and that this endless striving is the source of human suffering. He saw art, compassion, and the renunciation of desire as the paths to relief. He was also among the first Western philosophers to engage seriously with Indian thought.
Schopenhauer wrote with a directness and wit rare among philosophers, and his shorter essays on subjects like life, death, and human folly remain widely read and quoted.
His prose is unusually clear for a philosopher, though older translations can be formal. Our editions present his ideas cleanly. Read a selection free, and read or listen with a membership.
Arthur Schopenhauer in the library · 4 works
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The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer
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Frequently asked questions about Arthur Schopenhauer
What did Schopenhauer write?
Schopenhauer's major work is The World as Will and Representation, which lays out his entire philosophy. He is also known for his collection of shorter essays, Parerga and Paralipomena, which includes widely read pieces on wisdom, suffering, and everyday life. His accessible essays are often where new readers begin.
What is Schopenhauer's philosophy?
Schopenhauer argued that behind the world we perceive lies a blind, ceaseless force he called the 'Will,' which drives all things and all desire. Because desire can never be permanently satisfied, he concluded that life is fundamentally marked by suffering. He proposed art, compassion for others, and the quieting of one's own desires as ways to find peace amid this striving.
Where should I start with Schopenhauer?
His shorter essays — collected as Parerga and Paralipomena, and often published as selections on wisdom, life, and human nature — are the most accessible and enjoyable starting point. They show his clarity and wit without the density of his main system. The World as Will and Representation is his masterpiece but is best approached after the essays.
Was Schopenhauer really a pessimist?
Yes — he is often called the great philosopher of pessimism, because he saw suffering as an inescapable feature of existence rather than an accident. But his philosophy is not despairing; it offers genuine paths to relief through art, compassion, and self-understanding. Many readers find his honesty about life's difficulties clarifying rather than depressing.
Is Schopenhauer hard to read?
Compared with many philosophers, Schopenhauer is remarkably clear and even entertaining, especially in his essays. His main systematic work is more demanding, but still more readable than most philosophy of its era. A clear modern edition makes his ideas very approachable.
When did Schopenhauer live?
Schopenhauer lived from 1788 to 1860 in Germany. He published The World as Will and Representation in 1818, though it attracted little attention until late in his life. His fame grew enormously in his final years and after his death, influencing figures from Nietzsche to Freud to Wagner.
Where can I read Schopenhauer for free?
Schopenhauer's works are in the public domain, and older translations are freely available. Some are formal in style. Here you can read a selection free in clear modern English, and read or listen with a membership.
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