
Philosophies Ancient and Modern
NOTE
SCHOPENHAUER
LONDON ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE & CO LTD 1909
SCHOPENHAUER - CHAPTER I - LIFE AND WRITINGS
CHAPTER II - THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
CHAPTER III - METAPHYSICS OF THE WILL
CHAPTER IV - ÆSTHETICS
CHAPTER V - ETHICS
CHAPTER VI - HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
This compact volume offers a clear‑sighted introduction to one of philosophy’s most striking figures, presenting the essentials of his life, major works, and the central ideas that have shaped modern thought. It explains how his metaphysics builds on Kant while diverging into a distinctive contemplation of desire, suffering, and the possibility of redemption. Readers will discover why his reputation as a “pessimist” can be misleading, as his ethic ultimately seeks a release from the endless striving that defines human existence.
Written by a scholar known for making dense concepts approachable, the text balances biographical sketches with concise explanations of Schopenhheim’s theory of knowledge, aesthetics, and moral philosophy. It places his thinking alongside Eastern traditions and contemporary religious ideas, highlighting the unique blend of rigorous analysis and compassionate insight. The volume serves as an inviting gateway for anyone curious about how a nineteenth‑century thinker still speaks to today’s search for meaning.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (115K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Albert László and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
Dec 12, 2011
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1856–1935
An English metaphysician and critic, he wrote clearly and widely on philosophy, religion, and the history of ideas. His work often connected classical thought with modern debates, making difficult subjects feel more approachable.
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