Schopenhauer’s views on the nature of existence

The concept of the will (which I translate as “life force” or “primal energy”) plays the key role in the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860). He argued that a blind, irrational, overwhelming force drives all creatures to reproduce, sustain their own lives, and improves their situation. According to Schopenhauer, the will is exerting relentless pressure on humans, prompting them to pursue objectives that are often impossible to achieve. The inevitable result is failure, setbacks and disappointments. Schopenhauer objected to the optimistic ideals of thinkers such as Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831). He objected to the theory that history is driven to the realisation of a particular goal, let alone, the realisation of a perfect society. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) and Friedrich Hegel are called “idealists” because they built speculative philosophies. Instead of looking at reality and checking the facts, they constructed a chain of logical arguments unconnected to everyday life. Schopenhauer did the opposite. His views on the nature of existence are based on his experience and observations. In his eyes, life is a constant struggle. Individuals pursue endless goals without ever achieving them all. They live in a constant state of dissatisfaction. In his doctoral thesis published in 1814 (“Over the fourfold root of the principle of sufficient reason”), Schopenhauer had postulated that there is always a reason or cause for everything that happens. In 1818, he wrote his work “The world as will and representation,” refining the principle of sufficient reason. The will is the underlying force that drives all life, he theorised. It can ruin your life if you fail to pay attention and counteract its negative effects. Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/schopenhauers-views-on-the-nature-of-existence/