Schopenhauer’s views on the self

What are the characteristics of the #philosophy of the self developed by Arthur #schopenhauer (1788-1860)? Which are the differences between his ideas and those of other philosophers? Schopenhauer outlined his philosophy in “The world as will and representation,” a book published in 1818. The book puts forward the “theory of the will” as an explanation for the cosmos, society, and human nature. According to this theory, the will (“life force”) is driving all living creatures to ensure their own survival, reproduction, and to seek short-time pleasure. To a large extent, the concept of #instincts in Sigmund #freud (1856-1939) corresponds to Schopenhauer’s theory of the will. In Freud’s books, instincts are also defined as unconscious and primordial forces driving animals and humans. The will shapes the human self, but it’s not the only element at play. The self entails individual aspects that are enhanced by #selfawareness and thinking, and weakened by passivity, blind conformity, and ignorance. According to Schopenhauer, the will is insatiable, relentless, short-sighted and often destructive, but the human self doesn’t need to fall prey to those influences. Schopenhauer views the self as the individual expression of the will, but accentuating any individual aspects requires a substantial effort. The less personal effort, the stronger the grip of the will on the concerned person. If there is no effort on the part of the individual, the will is going to take full control. Self-awareness is the starting point for enhancing the self. If you grow aware of the will, you can adopt countermeasures to protect yourself, reduce risk, and increase your happiness. Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/schopenhauers-views-on-the-self/