Schopenhauer: The Philosopher Who Knew Life’s Pain

Summary

Arthur Schopenhauer, a German philosopher, is known for his pessimistic worldview centered on the 'Will-to-Live,' an irrational force driving all beings towards constant desire and suffering. The script explores his life, philosophy, and influence on thinkers like Nietzsche and Freud. Schopenhauer's work suggests that life's inherent dissatisfaction and pain far outweigh fleeting pleasures, advocating for asceticism and intellectual pursuits to mitigate the torment of existence.

Takeaways

• 📚 Arthur Schopenhauer was a German philosopher who believed that life is characterized by inherent suffering and dissatisfaction.
• 🐩 Schopenhauer observed that from birth, humans and animals experience increasing suffering through disease, heartbreak, betrayal, aging, and death.
• 🔍 He posited that the pain of being consumed by another creature is far greater than the pleasure of the consumer, reinforcing his view that life's pains outweigh its joys.
• 🌕 Schopenhauer thought it would be preferable if Earth were lifeless, like the Moon, due to the overwhelming amount of suffering in the world.
• 💭 His philosophy, often deemed 'pessimistic' and 'dark,' is based on profound examinations of reality, particularly the concept of the 'Will' or 'Will-to-Live' as the root of suffering.
• 📖 Schopenhauer's major work, 'The World as Will and Representation,' established his philosophical system centered around the 'Will' as the driving force behind all existence.
• 🌐 Influenced by Eastern philosophies and thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, and Spinoza, Schopenhauer's work inspired later intellectuals such as Nietzsche and Freud.
• 🤔 Schopenhauer distinguished between the 'noumenal world' (reality as it truly is) and the 'phenomenal world' (our perceptions of reality), suggesting that we can only perceive mental constructs of the world.
• 🚫 He argued that the 'Will' is an irrational and uncontrollable force that causes endless desires, leading to perpetual dissatisfaction and suffering.
• 💔 Schopenhauer viewed pleasure as a fleeting and superficial experience compared to the intensity and lasting impact of pain.
• 🧘 To alleviate suffering, Schopenhauer proposed asceticism and the pursuit of intellectual pleasures, as well as minimizing concern for the opinions of others and prioritizing health.

Q & A

What is the central theme of Arthur Schopenhauer's philosophy as depicted in the script?

The central theme of Arthur Schopenhauer's philosophy, as described in the script, is the idea that life is inherently filled with more pain than pleasure, and this is largely due to the Will-to-Live, an irrational and blind force that drives all beings to pursue their desires and needs relentlessly.

How did Schopenhauer view the experience of being eaten by a bird compared to the bird's act of eating?

Schopenhauer believed that the experience of being eaten is far more painful than the act of eating is joyful, suggesting that the negative experience of pain significantly outweighs the positive experience of pleasure in life.

What did Schopenhauer consider better for the Earth according to his philosophy?

Schopenhauer concluded that it would be better if the Earth were lifeless, in a crystalline state like the Moon, due to the vast amount of misery and suffering present in a world with life.

What is the 'Will' in Schopenhauer's philosophy and how does it relate to human suffering?

In Schopenhauer's philosophy, the 'Will', also known as the Will-to-Live, is an all-encompassing, irrational force that lies at the basis of our suffering. It compels humans and animals to exist and behave in certain ways, often leading to pain and dissatisfaction.

How did Schopenhauer's personal life and family background influence his philosophical views?

Schopenhauer's personal life, including his early loss of his father and a complex relationship with his domineering mother, Johanna, may have contributed to his pessimistic outlook on life and his focus on the inherent suffering that comes with existence.

What are some of the works that Schopenhauer is known for?

Schopenhauer is known for works such as 'The World as Will and Representation', 'Essays and Aphorisms' (Parerga und Paralipomena), 'Studies in Pessimism', 'The Wisdom of Life', 'The Art of Being Right', 'On the Fourfold Root of the Principle of Sufficient Reason', 'On Vision and Colors', 'On the Will in Nature', 'On the Freedom of the Will', and 'On the Basis of Morality'.

What is the 'noumenal world' and how does it differ from the 'phenomenal world' in Schopenhauer's philosophy?

The 'noumenal world' in Schopenhauer's philosophy refers to the reality as it truly is, beyond human perception. In contrast, the 'phenomenal world' is the world as we perceive it, shaped by our senses, intellect, and individual knowledge, which is a construct of our cognitive faculties.

According to Schopenhauer, why does human existence characterize itself by inherent discontent?

Human existence is characterized by inherent discontent because of the presence of the Will, which makes us insatiable, driven by wants and needs, and constantly yearning for more, leading to an endless cycle of dissatisfaction.

How does Schopenhauer view the relationship between pleasure and pain in life?

Schopenhauer argues that pleasure is a negative experience, consisting in freedom from pain, which is the positive element of existence. He believes that the intensity and persistence of pain far outweigh the fleeting and superficial nature of pleasure.

What solutions does Schopenhauer propose to alleviate the pain of existence?

Schopenhauer proposes solutions such as asceticism, which involves sense restraint and renunciation of external pleasures, and pragmatic life choices that minimize pain. He also emphasizes the importance of intellectual pleasures, indifference to others' opinions, and maintaining good health.

How does Schopenhauer describe the progression of a typical romantic relationship in terms of pleasure and pain?

Schopenhauer describes the progression of a typical romantic relationship as starting with a burst of euphoria that is quickly overshadowed by the fear of loss. As the relationship matures, the initial excitement and infatuation give way to discontent, disappointment, and boredom, culminating in the unbearable pain of a breakup.

Outlines

00:00

😔 Philosophical Pessimism of Arthur Schopenhauer

The first paragraph introduces Arthur Schopenhauer's contemplative and melancholic view of life, emphasizing his belief that suffering is an inherent part of existence. Schopenhauer observed the relentless struggle for survival and the inevitability of pain, which he believed to be more profound than any pleasure life could offer. His philosophy, marked by the concept of the 'Will,' suggests that life's continuous desire and pursuit of needs lead to dissatisfaction and frustration. Despite being labeled as 'pessimistic' and 'dark,' Schopenhauer's work has had a lasting impact on thinkers like Nietzsche and Freud, and his writings challenge the viewer to confront life's harsh realities.

05:01

📚 Schopenhauer's Intellectual Journey and Key Works

The second paragraph delves into Schopenhauer's background, including his early life, education, and the development of his philosophical system. It highlights his admiration for Eastern philosophies and the influence of Western philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, and Kant. The paragraph also discusses his major work, 'The World as Will and Representation,' which introduces the concept of the 'Will' as the driving force behind all existence and the source of suffering. Additionally, it mentions other works such as 'Essays and Aphorisms,' 'The Art of Being Right,' and his explorations into various topics like ethics, morality, and the nature of reality.

10:02

🌌 The Noumenal and Phenomenal Worlds According to Schopenhauer

This paragraph explores Schopenhauer's distinction between the noumenal and phenomenal worlds, explaining that our perceptions are limited to the latter, which is shaped by our cognitive faculties. It discusses the concept of the Will-to-Live as the underlying force in all aspects of existence, influencing our perceptions and desires. Schopenhauer posits that we are unable to perceive the true reality, or the noumenal world, and are instead confined to our mental constructs, which are filtered through our individual wants and needs.

15:05

😖 The Inevitability of Suffering and Schopenhauer's Solutions

The final paragraph examines Schopenhauer's view on the pervasiveness of suffering in life and his proposed solutions to alleviate it. He suggests asceticism and the denial of the Will as potential paths to reduce suffering, while also acknowledging that these may not be practical for everyone. Schopenhauer advocates for a pragmatic approach to life that minimizes pain, emphasizing the importance of intellectual pleasures, disregarding the opinions of others, and valuing health over fame or wealth. Despite these solutions, the paragraph concludes with Schopenhauer's overarching pessimistic view that life's sufferings far outweigh its pleasures.

Keywords

💡Schopenhauer

Arthur Schopenhauer was a German philosopher known for his pessimistic views on life and his concept of the 'Will.' His philosophy is the central theme of the video, exploring the inherent suffering in existence and the relentless pursuit of desires that Schopenhauer believed characterizes human life.

💡Suffering

Suffering is a core concept in Schopenhauer's philosophy, which he believed to be an intrinsic part of life. In the video, suffering is depicted as the result of the Will's influence, causing humans to experience pain, disease, heartbreak, betrayal, and death, thus illustrating the overarching theme of life's inherent misery.

💡Will-to-Live

The 'Will-to-Live' or 'Wille zum Leben' is a fundamental concept in Schopenhauer's philosophy, representing an irrational, unconscious force that compels all beings to exist and act. The video explains how this force drives desires and needs, leading to a cycle of dissatisfaction and suffering, which is central to Schopenhauer's pessimistic worldview.

💡Pessimism

Pessimism is the philosophical position that life is inherently filled with more suffering than pleasure. The video describes Schopenhauer as a 'pessimistic' philosopher due to his belief that the intensity and persistence of pain far outweigh fleeting moments of joy in life.

💡Desire

Desire, in Schopenhauer's philosophy, is a manifestation of the Will, leading individuals to continuously seek satisfaction that is never fully achieved. The video uses the example of buying a dream house and then wanting more to illustrate the insatiable nature of human desires and the resulting dissatisfaction.

💡Noumenal World

The 'noumenal world' refers to the true reality as it is, independent of human perception. Schopenhauer believed that this reality is inaccessible to us, and we can only perceive the 'phenomenal world,' which is our mental construct of reality. The video explains this concept to emphasize the limitations of human understanding and the role of the Will in shaping our perceptions.

💡Pleasure

In the context of the video, pleasure is described as a negative experience, meaning it is the absence of pain. Schopenhauer argued that pleasure is fleeting and superficial compared to the profound and lasting nature of pain, thus contributing to the overall dissatisfaction of life.

💡Asceticism

Asceticism is a practice of self-denial and restraint, which Schopenhauer proposed as a way to alleviate the suffering caused by the Will. The video mentions asceticism as a potential solution to the problem of existence, suggesting that by denying the Will, one can reduce the pain of life.

💡Intellectual Pleasures

Schopenhauer viewed intellectual pleasures as a more sustainable form of satisfaction compared to material or physical pleasures. The video suggests that intellectual pursuits can provide a deeper and longer-lasting form of enjoyment that is less dependent on external circumstances.

💡Health

Health is presented in the video as a critical factor in determining one's level of happiness and well-being. Schopenhauer believed that maintaining good health is more important than pursuing wealth or fame, as it directly affects our ability to experience pleasure and avoid pain.

💡Opinions of Others

The video discusses the futility of seeking the approval and respect of others, as it often leads to unnecessary suffering and dissatisfaction. Schopenhauer advised that one should prioritize personal well-being over the opinions of others to minimize pain and increase life's pleasures.

Highlights

Arthur Schopenhauer viewed life as filled with suffering and sadness, with humans and animals struggling to survive in an unchosen world.

Schopenhauer believed that the experience of being eaten is more painful than the act of eating is joyful, indicating life's pain outweighs its pleasures.

He concluded that a lifeless Earth in a crystalline state would be preferable to the suffering present in life.

Schopenhauer's philosophy is marked by a recognition of inherent suffering and constant dissatisfaction in life.

Life is described as a relentless pursuit of desires and needs, leading to a label of 'pessimistic' and 'dark' for Schopenhauer.

Schopenhauer's philosophy was based on profound views of reality, particularly the concept of the Will or Will-to-Live as the basis of suffering.

His works have stood the test of time and inspired thinkers such as Nietzsche and Freud.

Schopenhauer's writings appeal due to their revelation of life's realities that many prefer to ignore.

Schopenhauer's life was marked by a complex relationship with his mother and a pursuit of intellectual interests over societal status.

His philosophical interests included Eastern philosophies and the works of Plato, Aristotle, Spinoza, and Kant.

Schopenhauer's magnum opus, 'The World as Will and Representation,' proposed the Will as the driving force behind all existence.

Despite his pessimistic outlook, Schopenhauer's ideas influenced notable intellectuals and continue to be studied today.

Schopenhauer's concept of the Will is central to understanding his pessimistic view of life, as it drives all beings relentlessly.

The Will is an irrational force that cannot be controlled or reasoned with, underlying all aspects of existence.

Schopenhauer distinguished between the noumenal and phenomenal worlds, with the former being the true reality inaccessible to human perception.

He argued that pleasure is a negative experience and pain is positive, with pain being more intense and persistent.

Schopenhauer suggested asceticism and pragmatic life choices to minimize suffering and make life more bearable.

He emphasized the importance of health and intellectual pleasures over fame and wealth for a happier life.

Despite solutions, Schopenhauer maintained that life remains overall dreadful due to the overwhelming presence of suffering.

Transcripts

When Arthur Schopenhauer was walking his poodle, he looked at the world with sadness.

He saw humans and animals struggling to survive in a world they never chose to be in.

And from the day they were born, the suffering only worsened as they contracted diseases,

heartbreak, betrayal, old age, and death.

When he saw a bird feasting on a worm, he imagined that the experience of being eaten

is far more painful than the act of eating is joyful, which only confirmed his observation

that life’s pain vastly outweighs life’s pleasures.

Contemplating the vast amount of misery and suffering in this world, Schopenhauer concluded

that it would be better if the Earth were lifeless, in a crystalline state like the

Moon.

Schopenhauer was aware of the inherent suffering that comes with life, which many consider

a valid viewpoint.

He didn’t deny that his philosophy is “comfortless,” as he didn’t seek to sugarcoat anything

and explain life as it is: marked by constant dissatisfaction, with fleeting moments of

pleasure ultimately outweighed by the overall pain and frustration of existence.

The amount of suffering is vast, so observed Schopenhauer.

Life is a constant striving, a relentless pursuit of desires and needs that keep appearing.

So it’s no surprise that people label this philosopher ‘pessimistic’ and ‘dark.’

But his observations aren’t unfounded.

Schopenhauer based his beliefs on profound views and examinations of the nature of reality,

particularly an all-encompassing force that lies at the basis of our suffering, which

he called the Will, also known as the Will-to-Live.

During his solitary life, Schopenhauer wrote extensively and produced works that have stood

the test of time and inspired later thinkers such as Nietzsche and Freud.

His writings seem to appeal to many – not because they’re positive and uplifting but,

most likely, because they unveil certain realities of life that most people are eager to sweep

under the carpet.

This video explores Arthur Schopenhauer and his philosophy, briefly showing who he was,

what his philosophy entails, and why, according to him, life sucks.

Arthur Schopenhauer, a German philosopher who lived from 1788 to 1860, grew up in a

wealthy family of merchants.

He was born in the city of Danzig, which was back then part of the Kingdom of Prussia.

Nowadays, it’s a city in Poland known as Gdansk.

He lost his father at a young age, and his relationship with his mother, Johanna, was

complex.

Johanna Schopenhauer was a domineering and overbearing figure in Arthur’s life and

often criticized and belittled him.

As she valued societal status, image, and social connections, she wanted her son to

pursue a career in commerce, which wasn’t quite compatible with Arthur’s intellectual

interests and introspective personality.

Philosophically, Schopenhauer was interested in a broad range of subjects.

He admired Eastern philosophies like those found in Buddhism and Hinduism, particularly

the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Theravada Buddhist scriptures.

His interest in and appreciation for Eastern philosophy was uncommon at that time.

The ideas of Plato, Aristotle, and Spinoza influenced him as well.

During his studies at the University of Göttingen and later at the University of Berlin, he

became familiar with the works of Kant, which had a significant impact on his thinking.

“The World as Will and Representation” (Die Welt as Wille und Vorstellung), Schopenhauer’s

greatest work, was published in 1818.

It served as the foundation of his philosophical system, in which he proposed that reality

is fundamentally guided by an irrational and blind force he named the “Will,” which

drives all beings to pursue and meet their needs relentlessly.

He said, however, that this never-ending desire, represented by the human will, inevitably

results in pain and unhappiness.

As a result of Schopenhauer’s unique manner and pessimistic outlook on the world, which

didn’t quite jive with the philosophical trends at that time, his philosophy did not

receive much attention during his lifetime.

But many well-known intellectuals, such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Richard Wagner, Leo Tolstoy,

Sigmund Freud, and Albert Einstein, would subsequently be influenced by his ideas.

Schopenhauer’s other notable works include “Essays and Aphorisms” (also known as

Parerga und Paralipomena), which is a vast collection of essays that explain various

topics in an accessible manner, from which the compilations “Studies in Pessimism”

and “The Wisdom of Life” are derived.

And then there’s “The Art of Being Right,” in which Schopenhauer explores several methods

for winning a debate.

Other works are: “On the Fourfold Root of the Principle of Sufficient Reason,” “On

Vision and Colors,” “On the Will in Nature,” “On the Freedom of the Will,” and “On

the Basis of Morality,” the latter delving into ethics and moral philosophy.

Schopenhauer’s work continues to be studied and debated today.

When contemplating the nature of existence, studying Eastern philosophy, particularly

Hindu and Buddhist thought, Schopenhauer wondered what force lies behind the phenomena of the

universe.

What drives a stone to be a stone, a mountain to be a mountain, a star to be a star?

What causes a human to exist, and what lies at the basis of his endless striving and desires?

His close examinations led to Schopenhauer’s idea of the Will-to-Live: an irrational, unconscious,

but mighty force.

The Will-to-Live, or Wille zum Leben, or just Will, has a crucial position in Schopenhauer’s

philosophical system.

To understand Schopenhauer’s pessimistic outlook on life, we must be familiar with

the concept of the Will.

The Will permeates all aspects of existence, from objects to plants to animals and human

beings.

Even the presence of a stone, for example, underlies the Will as it ‘wills’ the stone

to be a stone.

Similarly, the Will compels animals and humans to come into existence and behave as they

do.

The Will is not something we can control or reason with, as it’s an irrational force

that operates autonomously.

We cannot “will” ourselves to do something, meaning we cannot control our innate driving

force.

The Will causes not just the human desire for survival but also our desire to procreate,

our aim for status and prestige, and our ambitions.

It’s the drive for self-preservation but also for improving our circumstances in the

future.

We’re mostly unaware of this force pushing us behind the scenes.

Even though we could rationally explain the desire or necessity for pregnancy, for example,

overwhelmingly, the Will-to-live causes the urge.

Animals, for instance, procreate without any rationale to support their decision; they

just seem to have a natural irrational inclination to propagate.

From the viewpoint of Schopenhauer, human behavior testifies to our collective utter

enslavement to this irrational force, as most of us do nothing but follow its lead.

The Will-to-Live is the main reason why life sucks, according to Schopenhauer.

We’ll explore the reason why later in this essay.

According to Schopenhauer, the Will and the intellect are two different things, operating

separately.

I quote:

The fundamental truth of my doctrine, which places that doctrine in opposition with all

others that have ever existed, is the complete separation between the will and the intellect,

which all philosophers before me had looked upon as inseparable; or rather, I ought to

say that they had regarded the will as conditioned by, nay, mostly even as a mere function of,

the intellect, assumed by them to be the fundamental substance of our spiritual being.

When we look at the world around us, what do we see?

Do we see the actual “things in themselves” or just representations of them?

Schopenhauer believed that the objects we see are perceptual constructs our cognitive

faculties produce.

Our senses, intellect, and individual knowledge shape our perceptions of the world.

We all see the world in different ways.

The reality as it truly is, Schopenhauer called the “noumenal world,” as opposed to the

“phenomenal world,” which represents the world as we see it.

The noumenal is not accessible to us, as the human capacity for perception limits itself

to the phenomenal realm.

So, simply put, we cannot see reality as it is, only our mental constructs of it; we can

only understand the world and engage with it through the prism of our representations,

which consist of things like concepts, categories, and other mental structures that shape our

understanding of reality, but also restrict us from seeing reality as it is.

Schopenhauer believed that the Will-to-Live we previously discussed lies at the basis

of our representations.

The Will plays a significant part in how we interpret and perceive the universe because

it’s the driving force behind our lives and filters our perceptions based on it.

Our inherent wants and needs directly impact how we perceive the world.

The real world is a pure expression of Will, which remains hidden from our direct perception.

It’s like the lines of code in the Matrix, which lie at the basis of all activity but

cannot be seen by anyone trapped in it, as everyone’s perception is limited to what

the system allows them to see.

As a result, we cannot see the Will.

We can only see its effects in the phenomenal world.

And, as observed by Schopenhauer, these effects are absolutely dreadful.

If you try to imagine, as nearly as you can, what an amount of misery, pain and suffering

of every kind the sun shines upon in its course, you will admit that it would be much better

if, on the earth as little as on the moon, the sun were able to call forth the phenomena

of life; and if, here as there, the surface were still in a crystalline state.

End quote.

Schopenhauer saw life as inherently dissatisfactory, characterized by an unavoidable presence of

suffering.

As helpless subjects of the almightly Will, our human nature torments us with endless

desires and ongoing dissatisfaction.

According to Schopenhauer, the pain of life far outweighs our pleasures, as its intensity

is much more profound and its presence persistent.

In his work ‘Studies in Pessimism,’ the German philosopher lucidly describes why and

how living beings are perpetually plagued by suffering.

According to him, human existence characterizes itself by inherent discontent, and no one

escapes the never-ending struggle with the irrational forces within themselves and the

ongoing adversity around them.

The presence of the Will makes us insatiable, driven by wants and needs, and constantly

yearning for more.

After we satisfy one desire, another appears.

It’s never enough.

As soon as we buy our dream house, we want that dream car, then a new kitchen, then that

dream vacation; then we want to sell the house and buy another dream house.

And thus, the pursuit of satisfaction becomes endless, fluctuating between longing and disappointment,

with no lasting cessation of discontent.

Schopenhauer held that our fleeting moments of pleasure pale compared to the misery and

suffering we experience throughout life.

Interestingly, he argued that, contrary to what we’d believe, ‘pleasure’ is a negative

experience while ‘pain’ is a positive experience.

I have reminded the reader that every state of welfare, every feeling of satisfaction,

is negative in its character; that is to say, it consists in freedom from pain, which is

the positive element of existence.

End quote.

So, the ‘positive’ pain is much more prevalent than the ‘negative’ experiences that are,

in essence, the cessation of that positive pain.

While pleasure is transient and frequently superficial, pain is far more intense and

leaves a lasting impression on our psyche; it’s a forceful and indisputable feeling

that presses itself onto us with immense force.

The example in the introduction of this video shows how, from Schopenhauer’s viewpoint,

the intensity of ‘pain’ vastly outweighs ‘pleasure’ in life.

The fleeting enjoyment of eating doesn’t even come close to the excruciating pain of

being eaten.

Similarly, the pain of a breakup is much worse than the overall joy of the relationship.

Just look at how most romantic relationships evolve.

They start with a burst of euphoria immediately overshadowed by despair from the fear of losing

someone we’re infatuated with.

Then, when the honeymoon period subsides, the excitement and infatuation die down, succeeded

by discontent, disappointment, and boredom.

And when the relationship ends, the pain is unbearable and often long-lasting, making

us contemplate why we even chose to engage in this self-torture called romantic love.

But here’s where the Will deludes us, as it lets us imagine the things we desire as

much more pleasurable than they are and the pains as much less painful.

The reason why life sucks isn’t just because life’s pain is more painful than its pleasure

is pleasurable, according to Schopenhauer.

It’s also because, in his observation, the forms of suffering that afflict humanity are

countless.

A typical human being suffers physical ailments, heartbreak, loss, betrayal, and, of course,

the relentless march of time leading to old age and death.

Schopenhauer compared the experience of youth to the anticipation of a theater performance.

We’re sitting there with high hopes, excited about what’s to come, blessed by not knowing

what will happen.

We only realize how our youthful optimism deceived us later in life.

He wrote:

If two men who were friends in their youth meet again when they are old, after being

separated for a life-time, the chief feeling they will have at the sight of each other

will be one of complete disappointment at life as a whole; because their thoughts will

be carried back to that earlier time when life seemed so fair as it lay spread out before

them in the rosy light of dawn, promised so much—and then performed so little.

The sufferings of the world weren’t just a mere observation for Schopenhauer.

He was also interested in solutions to alleviate the pain of existence.

One of his key proposals is asceticism, a path of sense restraint and renunciation of

external pleasures, in other words: the denial of the Will.

However, Schopenhauer acknowledged that asceticism may not be suitable for everyone.

So, he looked for a more realistic approach for the average human.

And so, to make life more bearable, Schopenhauer suggested pragmatically setting up our lives

in ways that minimize pain as much as possible.

He emphasized that the way we feel matters more than, for example, status and fame.

And we’re better off choosing simple pleasures that are easy to satisfy instead of aiming

for pleasures that are difficult to attain and of which the attainment comes with a high

price.

In particular, Schopenhauer saw intellectual pleasures as a wise choice, as they’re relatively

cheap and still accessible in old age.

We also shouldn’t care about the opinions of others.

Trying to be respected and liked by others means that we constantly endeavor in ways

that are out of proportion to what we try to attain.

Schopenhauer stated that, and I quote:

In all we do, almost the first thing we think about is, what will people say; and nearly

half the troubles and bothers of life may be traced to our anxiety on this score; it

is the anxiety which is at the bottom of all that feeling of self-importance, which is

so often mortified because it is so very morbidly sensitive.

End quote.

Another thing we should prioritize, so believed Schopenhauer is our health, as it greatly

decides how we feel.

Therefore, health is more valuable than fame or wealth, as a healthy poor person is probably

happier than a sick, rich person.

So, we must be smart about our choices and closely examine whether they’ll reduce or

increase our suffering.

But aside from these solutions, life, according to Schopenhauer, remains overall dreadful,

as its sufferings vastly eclipse its pleasures.

Life sucks, and so it may be said: “It is bad to-day, and it will be worse to-morrow;

and so on till the worst of all.”

Thank you for watching