In history, few authors have been categorized as pessimistic as Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860). Critics reproach him for his observation that most pleasures fail to provide us long-term fulfilment, but is Schopenhauer’s observation inaccurate?
When Schopenhauer said that worldly achievements should be regarded as distractions from long-term failure, was he not simply acknowledging the fact that all humans are mortal? Was he not simply formulating an unpleasant truth?
Schopenhauer’s reflections on love and relationships rest on his observation that the pursuit of romance will often end up in disappointment.
He acknowledged that individuals are driven by the desire to procreate, but tend to pay little attention to long-term factors and complex emotions. I regard this statement as accurate and wonder who can contest it.
Thus, the condemnation of Schopenhauer as pessimistic has little to do with reality and very much with exaggeration. I can only point to the fact that people feel superior when they can attack with impunity philosophers they have never read.
Unfair criticism of Schopenhauer’s works
It takes effort to acquire knowledge of Schopenhauer’s ideas and their nuances, but it takes none to condemn then wholesale as pessimistic. Blanket condemnations are especially appealing to people who don’t read books.
For example, the criticism against Schopenhauer’s alleged view of consciousness (intelligence) as a burden does not have any connection to his works. Schopenhauer never said that it is worse to be clever than idiotic. Or that intelligent people suffer more in life than stupid ones.
The goal of spreading those inaccuracies is to make people believe that Schopenhauer’s philosophy is worthless and that it is a waste of time to study his works.
While it is true that Schopenhauer regarded the mind as a source of endless desires, he also provided excellent advice on how to reduce risks, so that you can minimize unhappiness and maximize enjoyment in life.
If you view prudence and common sense as pessimistic, you will miss out on Schopenhauer’s wisdom. His works are filled with great ideas about how to make the best on one’s life. Don’t let anybody drive you away from his valuable works and ideas.
Schopenhauer’s alleged pessimism versus reality
Schopenhauer devoted enormous efforts to encapsulate his reflections in concise sayings that are worth memorizing. Very few philosophers possess the ability to express great wisdom in such a succinct, pleasant manner.
For what concerns desires, one cannot regard Schopenhauer as pessimistic. He pointed out that we tend to pursue the same goals over and over only to encounter failure or frustration, but what is pessimistic about that? Does the statement not mirror a world where success takes plenty of effort?
You will achieve much more in life if you adopt a realistic world-view. When starting a new business, it is more helpful to know real chances of success. You don’t want your decisions to be driven by naivety and blind optimism.
Schopenhauer also noted that we experience the world as a representation of our perceptions or beliefs, but he was stating an obvious truth. Our beliefs are often tainted by subjectivity, but there’s nothing tragic about that. As we gain experience, we learn more about the world and our ideas grow more accurate.
Are Schopenhauer’s observations really pessimistic?
While it’s true that Schopenhauer emphasized the transitory nature of joy, it is also true that he advised his readers to put their time to good use by engaging in artistic contemplation. I fail to see anything wrong with Schopenhauer’s advice in this respect.
Schopenhauer called for a simple lifestyle that enables us to enjoy each day to the maximum. In his work “Aphorisms on wisdom” (1851), he advised readers to find happiness within themselves, steer away from disproportionate risks, and pursue pleasures that can be repeatedly enjoyed.
In the twentieth century, the existentialist movement drew inspiration from Schopenhauer, but distorted his ideas, giving them exaggerated pessimistic tones.
Existentialism and Schopenhauer’s alleged pessimism
In the works of Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980), Albert Camus (1913-1960), and other existentialists, we find references to the alleged absurdity of existence and the meaningless struggles in life, but those are not to be found in Schopenhauer.
In contrast to Sartre and Camus, Schopenhauer devoted vast efforts to providing advice on how to reduce suffering and stay away from trouble. His alleged pessimism is an exaggeration. I cannot even compare his philosophy to Sartre’s nihilism.
Schopenhauer’s pessimism also aligns with certain aspects of the Cold War era, characterized by ideological conflicts and the ever-present threat of nuclear warfare. The existential anxiety that permeated this period mirrors his belief in the perpetual struggle and potential catastrophes inherent in the human experience.
In existentialist theatre, Samuel Beckett’s play “Waiting for Godot” (1856) presents life as absurd and meaningless, but it’s not something that you will find in Schopenhauer’s work.
In contrast to Samuel Beckett’s pointless waiting from Godot, Schopenhauer is providing solid advice to render our lives better. Schopenhauer’s major book “The world as will and representation” (1818) warns readers about obstacles and traps in the path to happiness, but doesn’t tell them to give up.
Famous novels and Schopenhauer’s alleged pessimism
Schopenhauer’s practical advice also goes beyond the pitiful literary examples provided by Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) and his British contemporary Thomas Hardy (1840-1928).
Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina” (1874) and Hardy’s “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” (1891) portray failure and suffering as inevitable in contrast to Schopenhauer’s encouragement to readers to take reasonable measures to keep misery and unhappiness at bay.
The alleged pessimism in Schopenhauer’s work is an excuse to keep people from reading his works, absorbing his wisdom, and improving their lives. Instead of wasting time listening to doom-sayers, I suggest your reading works that convey solid, proven wisdom
If you are interested in applying rational ideas to solving the problems of today, I recommend you my book “Asymmetry: The shortcut to success when success seems impossible.”
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