A pessimistic philosopher, an irrationalist who denies most of the concepts and ideas - this is how Arthur Schopenhauer appeared to the general public. But what made him so? Was it pushing precisely to this worldview? He always believed that the will is the cornerstone of life, the driving force that has breathed life into us and commands the mind. Without the will, there would be no knowledge and intelligence, no development of a person in what he is now. So what pushed him on this path of reflection?
Childhood
The future philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, whose date of birth falls on February 28, 1788, was born in the family of a businessman and writer. From a young age, his father tried to instill in the boy a love of his work, but did not succeed in this. Arthur received education occasionally: for several months in Le Havre, with his father’s business partner at the age of 9, then studying in Runge, at an elite school - at 11, and by the age of 15 the young man moves to study in the UK. But the journeys did not end there, and in a short space he visited several other European countries for 2 years.
A family
The relationship of Schopenhauer's parents was difficult. In the end, his father left the family, and later committed suicide. Mother was so frivolous and cheerful person that pessimist Arthur also lacked the patience to live with her side by side, and in 1814 they parted, but continued to maintain friendly relations. This helps the young philosopher make many interesting and useful acquaintances among the bohemians of that time.
Adulthood
Having a rather large amount in a bank account and living on interest, Schopenhauer Arthur enters to study at the University of Gottingen as a doctor. But two years later he was transferred to the University of Berlin and changed the faculty to a philosophical one. This is not to say that he was a diligent student. The lectures did not attract him, and the visit left much to be desired, but he studied the questions that really worried the future philosopher in all planes, trying to get to the heart of the problem. Such, for example, were Schelling's idea of free will or Locke's theory of secondary qualities. Particular attention was paid to the dialogues of Plato and the construction of Kant. In 1813, Schopenhauer Arthur defended his doctoral dissertation on the law of sufficient reason. And after that, he gets to work on his main work.
Philosophical Works
It is worth considering how unusual the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer was. Interesting facts were revealed to researchers who sorted his personal notes. As it turned out, professional dissatisfaction, a thirst for fame and weakness infuriated the writer, which led to offensive and often unfair attacks on alleged competitors from under his pen.
In 1818, the first book, The World as a Will and a Representation, was published, but it went completely unnoticed by the general public or the scientific community. The publisher suffered losses, and the philosopher received a wounded pride. In order to rehabilitate in his own eyes, the young German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer decides to give lectures at the University of Berlin. But since Hegel taught there at the same time, students ignored the young assistant professor with his grim outlook on life. Not wanting to be the object of ridicule or pity, the writer leaves for Italy, away from the bustle of the university. But a year later he returns again to try his luck again on the teacher's path. Even the death of the enemy in 1831 did not make the course more popular, and the young man leaves teaching forever.
Relocation. Life with a clean slate
Leaving Berlin due to the cholera epidemic and moving to Frankfurt, a new bachelor is born - Arthur Schopenhauer. Philosophy was brief and rare, but still flashed through his life. So, he received a prize from the Norwegian Royal Society for his article. His publications were still not popular, and the reprint of the book, now divided into two volumes, again proved a failure. Negativism, misanthropy and despair grew more and more in Schopenhauer. He began to hate all philosophers in bulk and individually, especially Hegel, who had infected all of Europe with his ideas.
Revolution
“And tomorrow there was a war …” No, of course, there was no war, but after the revolution of 1848-1849, the worldview of people, their problems, goals and views, changed greatly. They began to look more soberly and pessimistically at the reality surrounding them. This allowed opportunities to appear that Arthur Schopenhauer did not fail to take advantage of. Philosophy was briefly able to fit in the aphoristic expressions and advice that pleased the compatriots. The publication of this book brought the philosopher the fame and glory that he had dreamed of.
