Discussing the Fascinating Ideas of Schopenhauer: The Most Pessimistic Philosopher

Last Updated on June 21, 2020 by The Unbounded Thinker

“Life is a sorry business.” – Arthur Schopenhauer

Arthur Schopenhauer was a great 19^th-century philosopher whose life experiences resulted in him adopting a pessimistic attitude towards life. He believed “Human life is a mistake,” and “Life is a constant process of dying.”

Although I haven’t studied his philosophical ideas in depth, I stumbled upon some of his ideas which I find fascinating.

Here are they: –

1. A Genius is An Anti-social Individual

According to Schopenhauer, people with exceptional creative power are antisocial because they seldom find people that think like them.

I find Schopenhauer’s idea true because I realized that the more I become intelligent and creative, the more I want to be alone. However, I believe the antisocial character of a genius occurs because the genius realizes that he only learns a lot when he’s alone.

2. Our Admirers Hate Expressing Their Admiration

I firmly support Schopenhauer because I realized that most people who admire us seldom expose their admiration. They think we’ll feel superior to them if we realize that they admire us. For this reason, we must learn to admire ourselves instead of waiting for people to admire us.

3. Love Was Created to Enable Procreation

Schopenhauer believed the Genius of Species/Nature/God created love to encourage procreation. He argued that love leads to sexual attraction thus resulting in procreation and the continuation of species.

4. All Living Things Are Dedicated to A Meaningless Existence

Arthur studied the life of animals and realized that all animals strived to survive. He wondered why they laboured continuously for a meaningless life.

After watching hundreds of wildlife documentaries, I also wondered why animals strive to survive. Birds, wildebeests and many other animals migrate hundreds of miles because they want to survive.

However, contrary to Arthur’s opinion, I believe this struggle for survival has a meaning that I don’t know.

5. Life is A Constant Process of Dying

As everything grows, it nears death.

I love Schopenhauer’s idea because it reminds us that our death is around the corner since we are mortal beings. This idea makes me appreciate every moment and live my life as authentic as possible because it reminds me that it’s not long before I stop existing.

6. Our Happiness Depends on Our State of Health

It’s hard to be happy when sick, but it’s easier to be happy when strong and healthy. Furthermore, external circumstances make us suffer more when we are ill than when we are well. For this reason, we must strive to be healthy by exercising and eating healthy foods.

“With health, everything is a source of pleasure; without it, nothing else.” – Arthur Schopenhauer

7. “The Fool Rushes After The Pleasures of Life and Finds Himself Their Dupe

All individuals who chase the pleasures of life will eventually realize that their pursuit was pointless because the pleasures will add no value to their lives.

Therefore, you’ll regret if you avoid chasing your dreams so that you take a high-paying job that enables you to enjoy the pleasures of life because you’ll realize that the pleasures are useless.

8. Happiness Depends on Our Inner Qualities

Our inner qualities determine our level of happiness because we interpret external events based on them. A cheerful person with high spirits will interpret negative circumstances positively and they won’t disturb him. However, a melancholic pessimist might be sad even in good times.

Conclusion

Hope you loved Schopenhauer’s ideas. If you are familiar with him, you can add some of his ideas in the comment box below. If not, you are welcome to comment on the idea that you loved the most or disagree with.

You are also welcome to join my insightful facebook community: Unbounded Wisdom Community for more philosophical ideas and quotes.