Schopenhauer Quiz: test your knowledge of the German philosopher!
Arthur Schopenhauer was a German philosopher who lived in the 19th century. His most famous work is 1818's "The World as Will and Representation," in which he developed his theory of the will as the primary force governing the world. According to Schopenhauer, will is the primary and universal force that animates all things, from plants to people. Will is the force that drives us to seek the satisfaction of our desires, but at the same time brings us suffering and dissatisfaction. According to the philosopher, understanding the nature of will can help us free ourselves from the chains of desires and achieve a state of inner peace.
Schopenhauer's theory of will is closely related to his understanding of how we perceive the world through our senses, which he called representation. Schopenhauer argued that representation is only an interpretation of reality, not reality itself. The will, as a universal force, is what gives meaning to representation and makes it intelligible to us.
Schopenhauer also wrote on morality and ethical living: he argued that ethics must be based on understanding the essence of will and representation; in particular, he argued that altruism and compassion are the fundamental moral principles, which enable us to overcome the narrowness of our individual desires and understand the universal will.
Schopenhauer's philosophy has had significant influence in many areas, including literature, psychology and religion. In particular, his theory of the will conditioned Nietzsche's thought.