Schopenhauer Weighs In (H/T Dr. Stephen Hicks)

Yesterday’s discussions in the comment section regarding existentialism (or more specifically, Joey B’s understanding thereof) and Eastern philosophy made me think that we really need to expand our weekly nod to  Caturday, Pupp-day, Taco Tuesday, Hen-day and Throwback Thursday. What we could really use around here is a World’s Great Philosophers’ Day.

Please don’t blame me if most of the world’s greatest philosophers turn out to be old white guys, it’s just the way it’s been up till now.

I decided to begin with one of the more prickly German philosophers – although in fairness all of the German philosophers were rather prickly:

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788—1860) has been dubbed the artist’s philosopher on account of the inspiration his aesthetics has provided to artists of all stripes.

I mostly chose him as the category’s first entry due to his take on “existentialism.”

He is also known as the philosopher of pessimism, as he articulated a worldview that challenges the value of existence.

You’re welcome to pursue his rather complicated philosophy of metaphysics, aesthetics, ethics, morality and psychology if you’d like; I selected him solely for his usefulness in my initial “great diversified philosophical point/counterpoint” analysis. To wit:

Point:

Counterpoint: (Schopenhauer)

(Compliments of the most excellent Dr. Stephen Hicks)