The Wisdom of Life and Other Essays

The Wisdom of Life and Other Essays is a collection of philosophical writings by Arthur Schopenhauer, a German philosopher known for his pessimistic views on life. The book includes essays on various topics such as the nature of happiness, the value of art, the role of ethics in society, and the importance of self-awareness. Schopenhauer's writing style is clear and concise, and he presents his ideas in a straightforward manner. He draws on insights from Eastern philosophy, particularly Buddhism, and emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. Overall, The Wisdom of Life and Other Essays is a thought-provoking and insightful read that challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of the world and their place in it.1932. One of the greatest philosophers of the 19th century, Schopenhauer seems to have had more impact on literature and on people in general than on academic philosophy. His system of philosophy was based on that of Kant's. Schopenhauer did not believe that people had individual wills but were rather simply part of a vast and single will that pervades the universe and that the feeling of separateness that each of has is but an illusion. This sounds much like the Spinozistic view or the Naturalistic School of philosophy. The difference with Schopenhauer is that, in his view, the cosmic will is wicked...and the source of all endless suffering. His masterpiece of philosophical writing is The World as Will and Idea. From the Preface: In these pages I shall speak of The Wisdom of Life in the common meaning of the term, as the art, namely, of ordering our lives so as to obtain the greatest possible amount of pleasure and success; an art the theory of which may be called eudoemonology, for it teaches us how to lead a happy existence. The Contents are divided into the following sections: The Wisdom of Life; The Art of Literature; and Studies in Pessimism. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.