Schopenhauer: The World as Will and Idea

You can find The World as Will and Idea here amzn.to/3Pr7h8G
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Dr. Michael Sugrue earned his BA at the University of Chicago and PhD at Columbia University.

[@Sunfried1]

RIP Dr. Sugrue. You will live on through your teaching .

[@room9podcast657]

So many other people I can think of that I would have rather died than him… like my father… ha ha ha

[@willmercury]

​@@room9podcast657 Your mother and I are working on it.

[@aristotleinbottle8012]

damn. didn't know he is dead. RIP

[@gerardlabeouf6075]

Yeah

[@robsamartino71]

Sugrue’s attitude towards Schopenhauer seems to match Schopenhauer’s attitude towards life

[@CrazyLinguiniLegs]

I have read Schopenhauer’s _World as Will and Representation_ as well as _Parerga and Paralipomena_ and _Essays and Aphorisms,_ and I think Sugrue mischaracterizes Schopenhauer as extremely bitter or sad. It makes me wonder if he has even read Schopenhauer. When I read him, Schopenhauer comes off incredibly honest, objective, and unafraid to acknowledge uncomfortable facts about our existence. Is he always correct? No, not in my opinion. But I don’t think Sugrue or academic philosophers in general have given Schopenhauer his fair due.

[@robsamartino71]

@@CrazyLinguiniLegs I was surprised that he poisoned the well against him so early in his lecture. I have yet to take on Schopenhauer so I cannot really defend him, although most other lectures I’ve heard about him are more enthusiastic. It still interesting to hear Sugrue’s two cents on him even though the admiration isn’t fully there. I’ve recently went through some videos of Bernardo Kastrup discussing Schopenhauer and it’s like an entirely different philosopher is being discussed.

[@CrazyLinguiniLegs]

@@robsamartino71 yes, in my opinion Schopenhauer is well worth the time. I appreciate Sugrue’s videos, but it was a big turnoff to see him come out bashing Schopenhauer-“Is it a philosophy at all? Let’s call it a metaphysics of hell”-utter nonsense. There is some good Schopenhauer material on other youtube channels, for instance “Eternalised” and “Weltgeist”. And as you mentioned there is the Kastrup material.

[@CrazyLinguiniLegs]

@@robsamartino71 also I believe Bryan Magee’s videos are still on youtube.

[@robsamartino71]

@@CrazyLinguiniLegs can’t get enough of Bryan Magee

[@robertpaulson3674]

The older I get the more I agree with Schopenhauer.

[@AlbertAlbertB.]

Oh no

[@dusankrajci6270]

Eat some magic mushrooms and see what god is for yourself,then let your mind accept it in the coming months after the trip

[@anhumblemessengerofthelawo3858]

@@dusankrajci6270 Or you could spend copious amounts of time-space orienting your mind in meditation, contemplation, and -- get this -- prayer. You might personally benefit from chanting (repetitive). There can be no short cuts to genuine enlightenment. Carefully open the gate. Crash it not. I promise you I have had revelations thar made the whole known world vanish from known existence. The second one was as a result of doing the daily workbook lessons of A Course In Miracles! Author: Jesus. Peace to you brother.

[@machinmon.]

Kierkegaard

[@sanghoonlee5171]

When I first encountered Schopenhauer I tought he was a miserable weirdo, an unhappy old fox shouting to the world that life is sour grapes. 10 years later, as I enter my 40s with the fruitless angst of youth behind me, I see where he was coming from. So much of activity in our world arises from wants and lust that seem irresistibly seductive but ultimately fail to reward or fulfill. I do wonder from time to time whether Mother Nature has programmed us to chase futile hopes and mirages just so we will live long enough to reproduce the next generation of fools that will repeat another round of the mad dance.

[@odetoazam]

In the Quran it says that God creates life and death to test us and see which of us is better in deeds. Perhaps the dancing is inevitable and we’re monitors to see how much we deviate from the steps that lead to individual and collective harmony ?

[@helvete_ingres4717]

the difference between you and Schop is that you type this sentiment 'Mother Nature has programmed us to chase futile hopes and mirages just so we will live long enough to reproduce the next generation of fools' to a web server from your computer in the age of scientific postmodernity wherein it's a banality, Rick & Morty etc. - whereas Schop illuminated this vision of existence before Darwin even theorised natural selection

[@valiata]

That is precisely what Schopenhauer said in his "Essays" about the crude, natural states of mind which characterise youth. With living experience comes wisdom, if we are sincere enough to look at ourselves and life with a dispassionate eye.

[@clockywork]

@@odetoazam the Quran is fiction, my friend.

[@odetoazam]

@@clockywork ur not up to date if you think you can make a statement like that. Historians have come around and recognize early Islamic history, Muhammad’s life and what the Quran is. Unfortunately people just adopt a view and that’s all they come to know. But no reason to really learn more because surely you got a life to live and a depraved economy to endure 💙

[@erictello5189]

“He’s performed the unusual service of sharing his unhappiness with us” I am honored to have access to your linguistic conceptual illustrations.

[@JB-ru4fr]

That also describes comedians like George Carlin.

[@DickEnchilada]

Schopenhauer was the first emo boi

[@colonelspicymustard]

The the amount of vocabulary i’ve picked up from Dr. Sugrue’s lectures alone is ineffable.

[@jamesbarlow6423]

They are cool

[@TurrisBlancus]

"For the purposes of discussion, let's consider it the metaphysics from hell."

[@iart2838]

He had the courage to explore the misery of life, makes no excuses or the need to make people feel positive

[@syphonunfiltered]

American optimism is antithetical to Schopenhauer

[@yarivfreed1098]

Schopenhauer spent his afternoons playing music and his evenings going to plays and concerts. Hardly a man wallowing in misery.

[@mikelopez9071]

Schopenhauer's insights are so freeing. It's sort of a rock bottom positioning, "I expected it to be this bad and it is, so all I can do now is laugh!"

[@martinrea8548]

Try Samuel Beckett for more of such belly laughs.

[@4zafinc]

So he invented "So bad, it's good"

[@marcusfinlayson7215]

Yes, pessimism is strangely comforting. I got this feeling first from reading Edgar Allan Poe. Just read Schopenhauer’s essays and now contemplating reading the world as will and representation.

[@Earthad23]

Post nut clarity

[@geoycs]

I am a great admirer of Sugrue, and love all of his lectures in this series. They are truly wonderful! I must, however, offer a counter position with regard to his approach to Schopenhauer. Schopenhauer is pessimistic, yes, but he is not horrible and scary. Also, I would absolutely recommend to anyone to begin their study of this fascinating and engaging philosopher directly with « The World as Will and Idea . » You will get his passion, erudition, and mastery of philosophy and language in a clear, straightforward way. Why bother starting with anything else? Also, briefly, Schopenhauer concludes profoundly and humanely that compassion is the proper attitude toward the harshness of the world. I think this call for compassion is so meaningful, and is something we would all do well to keep in mind. We all suffer, so let’s have compassion for what others go through.

[@martiniqi8425]

Schopenhauer himself recommends us to read his earlier works like the four roots of sufficient reason, otherwise “leave this book as a decoration in your bookshelf” hahaha

[@martiniqi8425]

@@VanMan83 how come

[@geoycs]

@@martiniqi8425 well, if you want to start with “The Fourfold Root,” be my guest, but to me the “World as Will and Representation” is a much better entry point.

[@geoycs]

@@VanMan83 yes he was. He was unfair toward them, unfortunately. He was pretty cantankerous and ornery! 😊

[@martiniqi8425]

@@geoycs I agree to that, its kinda hard to understand it without a base though

[@myb4d90]

I have heard all of the other old lectures and in fact rewarched them so often that I know them a little too well. Being able to listen to a new one is a treat. Thank you very much!

[@adamroberts9962]

I've watched his Heidegger lecture on Being and Time probably ten times. My favourite!

[@meganola7210]

Dr. Sugrue reminds me of one of those professors who speaks so clearly and concisely that I genuinely enjoy going to their classes, even if I have almost no previous interest in the topic. Thank you so much for posting these videos. And please keep uploading more lectures! I genuinely enjoy listening to them.

[@jungao6470]

Me, too.

[@Zsswimmer1]

I definitely understand what you're saying and 100 percent agree, but I found the more I viewed it the more I became interested in the subject itself. Like hearing philosophical lectures through (for example) his Christian lectures would have been a big NOPE from me when I was younger. Not so much anymore Plus he is so damn passionate about the topics discussed that I can't help but feel excited as well! Sometimes I have this on the background while reading another book, ADD lol, or going to sleep, and I swear I feel sharper than I have in a long time. Daily exercise, a good diet, and a good intellectual diet from professors like Dr Sugrue to make you hungry for more knowledge! Professor, I know you probably aren't reading this, I'm just a young man with no degree, but I have never been more interested in these subjects as I have gotten to be this year! 🙏

[@tergre54]

What was said of Oscar Wilde could be said of Dr. Sugre. 'I never before heard a man talking with perfect sentences, as if he had written them all overnight with labour and yet all spontaneous.'

[@raymondsamo9808]

YES! THERE ARE MORE LECTURES?! ❤️

[@tibex7498]

My thoughts exactly

[@Horwellston]

Not as popular as the Hegel one.

[@randileeross1961]

,,,,,c,ź,

[@Natron0Zero]

@@Horwellston it was poorly scheduled.

[@Ffsdevgj]

I tought I was alone and crazy… but these ideas have been there in the human psyche for eons.

[@AnotherDante]

Perhaps it's the rest of the world that's gone mad like ostriches constantly drinking from the sweet wells of false hopes and self-deception.

[@lucasvarela9632]

@@AnotherDante your mother

[@patrickhenry9584]

Read Diomedes 3,000 year old cynic

[@enlightenedanalysis1071]

A great lecture with humour injected in. Just to mention that I find Schopenhauer's pessimism soothing and comforting. Also: Nietzsche rejected much of Schopenhauer's pessimistic teachings in the late 1800s. Nietzsche considered Schopenhauer a "decadent" - meaning someone in a state of decay. In fact, Nietzsche wanted us to embrace life and say yes to life - quite the opposite of Schopenhauer. Many thanks again for a wonderful and enjoyable lecture, Michael.

[@teleofunctionality9246]

You could say the same about Schopenhauer in that he wanted us to appreciate the beauties of life.

[@Sunder_Daseinson]

Yes and nietzsche went out in a catatonic state, I'd imagine if he was able to write in his final decade he would have agreed much more with Schopenhauer. Nietzsche learned the hard way and went insane.

[@saintsword23]

Nietzsche went insane because of advanced neurosyphilis. I don't understand how people don't know this at this point.

[@mingus445_gaming]

@@saintsword23 yes, and people take what he wrote at that time to be the sum of his person. Nietzsche was writing more than his worth early on as he was already a professor at age 24.

[@jdzentrist8711]

So ironic, because in spite of everything, Schopenhauer enjoyed life, especially the arts, including obviously music, the theatre, literature and philosophy (except for Hegel!). He loved the pub. On occasion, he "loved" women. He loved food prepared by someone else, and good conversation. He thought the English were the "most intelligent race." Goethe said he "will out-do all of us," and he was right. Amazing, courageous man, no saint, but very few are. Thank you Michael Sugrue and thank you for keeping on keeping on.

[@czarquetzal8344]

To all: Read "The World as Will and Representation" by Arthur Schopenhauer instead of just relying on this lecture.

[@rogeredwards4871]

Interesting because as a young man Joseph Campbell changed my life and his favorite philosopher was Schopenhauer

[@yummy2318]

I love Schopenhauer.

[@noureddine715]

A beautifully constructed lecture; Thank you, Mr. Sugrue.

[@davidconroy8554]

I met a lad once who was balls deep into Buddhism. He knew all the Upanishads and all the theory. I had a great discussion with him for two or three days comparing Buddhism and Stoicism. But then he was telling me a story of how his mother was on her last legs and how his sister started labelling home appliances and furniture with her name. He told me how much it infuriated him and how he had to get financial support to fight a lengthy legal battle with his siblings in the wake of his mothers passing. I sat there listening to him thinking "where the fuck was all the Buddhism? "

[@davidconroy8554]

@Eudaimonia life is perception and our perception is largely determined by our world view. Is the purpose of Buddhism not to change that world view?

[@lifeisabadjoke5750]

When is comes to money philosophy ends.

[@davidconroy8554]

@@lifeisabadjoke5750 or begins, or perhaps ought to begin. I made a video called "death to all infidels" but I'm being obstructed from posting it, for a good reason I'm sure. I think it actually goes "death to all idolators", if we agree that money and the golden calf are the same thing, who are they?

[@stormrider1375]

"The world is not a piece of machinery and animals are not manufactured for our use. Such views should be left to synagogues and philosophical lecture-rooms, which in essence are not so very different." - Arthur Schopenhauer

[@BioChemistryWizard]

Based

[@maxnul]

Literally this is a part of this moment of my life when I have the chance to consume this content and it helps me with so many things! Like improve my English, professor Sugrue I love this content and I can’t get enough

[@KenshoBeats]

Woah, and I thought I had seen all of Sugrue’s lectures, what a treat! 🙏🏼

[@alreidie]

Thank you for getting us through these soul destroying times, Professor.

[@username1235400]

These lectures enrich life. Very grateful for this amazing content. As always - Thank you!

[@outofbox000]

KZbin was made for this stuff. Michael I love you man

[@zhengyangwu8289]

This is the greatest lecturer I have ever listened to!

[@colts8146]

WOAH I did not know there was more Sugrue lectures he recorded. This is a welcome sight indeed thank you!

[@Balys111]

Ooh, yes!!! I need to find either a DVD set or a digital repository of all of Dr. Sugrue's lectures so I can watch and re-watch, in order.

[@PreludeDude]

I'd pay good money for that set of information... Wait it's free on KZbin already.

[@Balys111]

@@PreludeDude I would pay for either hard copies or a digital archive of the full, organized set. These lectures are amazing. I just wish I could find a a complete and chronologically-/topically- ordered archive so I can use them to study and build up an organized and comprehensive understanding.

[@wmvv123]

I made a playlist with all his lectures, organized by the date of birth of the subject: kzbin.info/aero/PLViSFoOWmwpTvvhUHyTgTC8H8M859Fk1Q

[@Balys111]

@@wmvv123 Thank you! I'll check it out. Is it comprehensive of his various series or only what's uploaded on YT?

[@JH-le4sd]

@@Balys111 I think you can download if you pay for KZbin red.

[@clockywork]

"It's hard to think anyone more relentlessly pessimistic than Schopenhauer." *Thomas Ligotti entered the chat*

[@daudkaun3807]

RIP Professor. I am heartbroken.

[@TPMBernssen]

Thank you! I find myself watching these lectures more and more...

[@thomasdequincey5811]

The tracking might be slightly off, but this is still an incredible lecture. It's witty, insightful and interesting.

[@thetruthoutside8423]

Sharing his unhappiness with us is always welcome and for a good reasons and especially nowadays.

[@rioter6944]

this was incredibly insightful what a beautiful way of thinking of consciousness his thoughts show an inverse vacuum of what it means to be a sentient being

[@PhaedrusPollux]

Fantastic, was just revisiting Schopenhaur recently, and I had regret that there wasn't a video from Professor Sugrue.

[@shutincinema4050]

What an amazing lecture, which really shouldn't come as a surprise considering Professor Sugrue's track record. I really love how he is able to connect great philosophical thinkers together whilst providing context for how they relate to (and are different from) each other. After watching this I am definitely going to revisit the Freud and Nietzsche lectures again.

[@isaachester8475]

Yeah it’s been very cool to see how all the pieces fit together. There are so many philosophers with so many works, it’s often easy to miss the contexts in which they were written. Dr. Sugrue is doing us a great service by painting a cohesive picture.

[@TheDevilsPrank]

The best lecturer I've had the pleasure of listening to, not just on KZbin, but in my entire lifetime and 25 years of education.

[@ErnestRamaj]

Marcus Aurelius's one might be better.

[@TheDevilsPrank]

@@ErnestRamaj it absolutely is! That's his best lecture, so much passion! You'd almost think he's a fanatic. I just decided to comment what I did here instead for some reason.

[@destihado1]

I really envy you! What privilege it must have been

[@TheDevilsPrank]

@@destihado1 If the privilege you're talking about is my 25 years of education, let me put your mind at ease. I've learnt more from free lectures and podcasts on KZbin than any class throughout two decades of education. If you can't go to University for any reason, don't worry. Many great Professors upload their lectures to KZbin for free (such as this great man). The only real advantage of a University is meeting like minded people, and getting certain jobs that require a degree (although that's going away as well).

[@destihado1]

@@TheDevilsPrankby mistake i understood that you had the luck of hearing Dr Sugrue’s lectures in person. My bad! But I agree with you nonetheless :)

[@Dino_Medici]

Thanks for the lectures man. All the other lectures are in one ear out the other. But i actually remember and am easily able to conceptualize everything you say. It’s a miracle!

[@nobodynowhere7163]

A lecture on Schopenhauer by Prof. Sugrue! Awesome!

[@dialaskisel5929]

Thank you for the lecture. Schopenhauer is fun :) I will say, as a Buddhist convert, I did cringe a little bit at the slight conflation of ideas regarding the Noble Truths. It is an honest and easy mistake to make, though, especially as one looking from the outside in at Buddhism. The "Eight noble truths" are actually the Four Noble Truths and they are (In a simplified way) 1: Suffering - Life (the Human condition) is suffering and it is defined by both pain and the chronic inability to be satisfied. 2: Desire or Attachment - That suffering arises from human desires and attachments to transient things (For example, the fear of death and aging are born of attachments to life and youthful vitality, respectively) 3: Cessation - That you can be liberated from suffering by limiting or renouncing Desires and Attachments. 4: The Noble Eightfold Path - That you can follow the Noble Eightfold Path (a topic in itself, to summarize: basically being responsible with your life, being mindfully attentive to the present, practicing meditation, and adopting and fostering "right views" about the nature of and your relationship to reality) It should also be noted that it is a bit of a misperception to consider Buddhist practices and teachings as strictly ascetic and hopelessly pessimistic. Buddhism is called "The Middle Way" as it discourages the extremes of sensual pleasure-seeking AND extreme asceticism. A sort of wise moderation on most things in life is encouraged by many branches of Buddhism. As far as being pessimistic is concerned: Suffering is a reality of the human condition, but the point of Buddhist practice (especially in Mahayana Buddhism) is to overcome suffering so that one can experience Nirvana in this life and live and happy and fulfilled life.

[@Andre-bi3gq]

Thanks for the detailed comment. Which book should I read to learn more?

[@dialaskisel5929]

@@Andre-bi3gq First and foremost I'd recommend listening to some of the lectures by Alan Watts (you can find many of his lectures for free on KZbin). He is a British Zen Buddhist, and comes at Buddhism (and Hinduism) more from the direction of western philosophy. That was my own introduction, he brings things down to earth in an easily digestible way (and he is pleasant to listen to). For looking into Buddhism itself more directly, one must keep in mind that there are two drastically divergent branches, each of which have their own texts and spin on practices. The first branch is "Theravada" or "School of the Elders" and it is the more traditionalist form of Buddhism. Its main text is the "Pali Canon". This branch tends to cleave a bit more closely to the letter of the specific teachings laid down in the earliest Buddhist traditions. From what I understand, it tends to be a bit more methodologically focused, with diligent practice of the many specific teachings leading to a sort of ordered gradual enlightenment over many years of practice. The "Mindfulness" movements that have sprung up in the west are more directly descended from this branch of Buddhism. The second (and beyond, as this branch splits off in numerous directions) branch is called "Mahayana" or "The Great Vehicle", and it is a later development that diverges from some of the older doctrines. It doesn't have a "main text" per se, but its refutation of earlier forms of Buddhism is laid out in its early texts like "The Lotus Sutra" (which I wouldn't recommend getting into unless you are deeply into the scholarship. It almost exclusively concerned with countering and putting down the earlier Buddhist tradition and is otherwise a rather repetitive and dry affair). Mahayana focuses a little more on the Metaphysics of nonduality and Anatman (no Self), and how an understanding of those underlying concepts and their implications can be a path to enlightenment and Nirvana in this life. It also focuses on the "Bodhisattva vehicle", which is a path that focuses on ultimately becoming a Buddha, so that one can liberate all sentient beings from suffering. Tibetan Buddhism and Zen (which I personally follow) spring from this branch, and their paths are drastically different from one another. If you'd like an introduction to Mahayana concepts I'd encourage reading The Diamond Sutra and The Heart Sutra. They are both extremely short but get straight to the point, and do so quite eloquently. I know I rambled on a bit, but I hope that helps :)

[@shaunkerr8721]

It's the middle way so what are the pleasure seeking beliefs of Buddhism which moderate its ascetic actions?

[@dialaskisel5929]

@@shaunkerr8721 It varies in different schools of Buddhism. Some schools emphasize a stricter interpretation of the Eightfold Path than others, especially if you have taken vows and are a part of a monastery. The story goes that Siddhartha Gautama (the founder of Buddhism) initially abandoned the life of a decadent prince after having something of an existential crisis and pursued a spiritual path that led to self-mortification. There are stories of him eating only a single grain of rice a day in his ascetic pursuits and that his bones were visible under his skin due to how emaciated he had become. He then realized that this wasn't the true path, so he abandoned his ascetic discipline, accepting a generous offer of rice pudding from a passing village girl, leading to his fellow ascetics becoming scandalized by his lack of discipline and initially abandoning him. It was shortly after this that he meditated beneath the Bodhi tree for a time until he attained full enlightenment. So, instead of extreme ascetic self-denial, the Eightfold path emphasizes something more akin to healthy living advice, and even in the path itself there can be a bit of ambiguity and interpretation. Speaking from Zen, I've watched a few Zen initiation ceremonies (at a Zen school in America, so it is less intense and monastery focused), and they are always rather fascinating. After the initiates take their vows, the teacher then clarifies some of the vows and encourages the initiates to use the Eightfold path as a sort of primer for introspection instead of hard rules with the line "We observe the precepts through breaking them". For example, there is a precept to avoid intoxicating substances... But what defines an intoxicating substance is open to interpretation (as even abstract things like pride can be intoxicating from a certain perspective). The teacher then lightly commented that the point is to avoid being intoxicated to the point that there is a hangover (in other words, that the point of avoiding intoxicating substances is to avoid the consequences you can experience from consuming intoxicating substances, it is not just an arbitrary rule that has to be followed for its own sake). The way I see Zen, ascetic practices are done solely to aid one in developing healthy self-control and a healthier perspective on life. If the practices begin to cause unnecessary pain or are otherwise pointlessly arbitrary and inappropriate, then they should be abandoned or limited, as ultimately the point is to live a happier life.

[@wantanamera]

There are many different ways of interpreting the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, what you listed is just your way (or your teacher’s way) of interpreting them.

[@m_b_lmackenzie4510]

This makes my day, thanks for sharing this.

[@albertoscalici8235]

As always, thank you so much, professor!

[@svengroot3909]

What a gem of a professor to discover on a monday morning

[@RNCM_Philosophy]

Been waiting for this! Send my thanks to Dr Sugrue for uploading this

[@adamroberts9962]

Saw this and knew my day would get better!

[@WilliamsWrestlin]

My favorite Philosopher.

[@eartgmutha]

Thank you for being my philosophy lecturer- fabulous and fascinating

[@drainel9707]

These are great videos. I wish Bob Solomon was still alive. He produced great lectures with the same video company. I wish they were preserved on youtube in the same way Dr Sugrue has been doing

[@kaydijdrahblack5529]

So grateful for this lecture.

[@aragustin]

Thank you oh so much for for these uploads, just came across them and I'm very glad I clicked the suggested video. Thank you for your time, effort and good intentions, greetings from Chile

[@tjackskogen9304]

This is one of the best lectures on philosophical subjects i have ever seen. He explains the topics clearly and eloquently yet doesn't needlessly convolute things all the while not dumbing anything down. This should be mandatory viewing for any would be lecturer in all subjects.

[@Nooreazy]

I love these Lectures. Thank you

[@joshvanschaick4896]

Love these lectures! Thanks Professor!

[@dan_76]

That was amazing, thank you.

[@thomasdcat3463]

A great instructor on all subjects 👏

[@aemrng]

A new lecture ☺️What a Pleasant surprise.

[@mikemcdermott393]

Oh hell yeah, Geistmaster Sugrue back at it. Bless up today

[@iart2838]

Love this guy's lectures 😍

[@le2380]

I have been waiting for this one!

[@Girlinterrupted955]

"We are a bundle of desires and a collection of answers. Our desires never get satisfied and our questions never get answered."

[@2012dxb]

Wonderful lecture. I'm grateful to you.

[@josephasghar]

Keep ‘em coming!

[@OpenmusicEs]

Very useful briefing of Schopenhauer's ideas. One missing and very important aspect is his view of animal suffering under human rule.

[@MrXYZMEE]

This man is the best teacher I've ever seen.

[@Alacard0malley]

Thank you for having the wherewithall to record these lectures they are brilliant

[@inodororevi]

cant thank you enough michael .

[@RJH5202]

His main argument to reject Schopenhauer’s philosophy seems to be because it’s dark, not because it’s not true

[@oldsachem]

My whole family met tragedy in 20th century US through no fault of their own. Consequently, my life has been a will to laughter with flat affect.

[@davidfulton3287]

So glad KZbin is giving a new generation the pleasure of listening to Dr. Sugrue.

[@karenjohnston9201]

Was surprised to find the judgment and opinion about Schopenhauer- have just found Dr. Segrue and have been amazed at the clarity and help he offers in meeting philosophy so late in my life. This one is different - de doesn’t seem to find compassion for this philosopher so as to offer a cleaner perspective. It feels a bit like it hit a fear in him with no way out. Will continue to learn more as Dr. Sugrue has so much to share. Thank you.

[@michaelpattiani7230]

Hooray this makes my day

[@bonfacekyalo9603]

Your lectures are extraordinary

[@WhiteWolf--]

After watching all of the other ones multiple times, seeing a "new" one of these just made my freaking week! Thank you!!! Also, is it just me or is the audio out of sync? Not a big deal just noticing

[@johnrodgers2018]

I find his philosophy so freeing, enjoying the continual state of striving and self improvement. Knowing I will never be contented is OK.

[@fascistphilosophy5649]

It's so beautiful that Schopenhauer was this perfectly sour complement to Hegel. I am reaching enlightenment via Schopenhauer-Hegelian model, reporting back influenced by modern western Hindu-Buddhist gurus. The real 'I' is the Absolute; this egoic self is merely a whirlwind of ... will. ... Hell is confusing the latter for the prior... This lecture is truly pinnacle of reality, thanks so much Sugrue

[@angelferreira1746]

Dr. Sugrue must have been a great dude to go to a bar with. Please continue enlightening me as I drown my existential dread in these pints.

[@bestman911]

Such a generous man! We can't thank you enough for sharing your invaluable lectures, Prof. Sugrue!

[@ChristmasFace]

This lecture couldn't be any more timely; I've just started reading the World As Will And Idea, and Dr. Sugrue is really helping to clear up my confusion on Schopenhauer's metaphysics!

[@blix4199]

I suggest you read Bryan Magee’s commentaries on Schopenhauer as a counterpoint to Dr Sugrue’s rather glib dismissal

[@OpenmusicEs]

@@blix4199 I will definitely read that one. Thanks for the info.

[@OpenmusicEs]

I'd say Dr. Sugrue's reading is excellent but a bit bias towards the dark side of Schopenhauer's writings. I consider his complete works (after having read them) to be a monumental set of ideas full of living force (not exactly pessimistic).

[@yarnboyjr3909]

@@OpenmusicEs where there is a dark aspect to Schopenhauer there is also a revelation - questions that arise after reading his book and answers. Such as inspirations, rationale, temperament, and also Schopenhauer will and representation really has a great psychological aspect.

[@paulheinrichdietrich9518]

@@OpenmusicEs I would also recommend Copleston's "Schopenhauer, philosopher of Pessimism" as a companion and counterpoint to Magee's book.

[@fernandohaddadjunqueira8339]

Thank God! Greetings from Brazil

[@dionysian222]

It’s easier to chastise poor ol Schopenhauer than to prove his point of view wrong!

[@renemars-lunn4112]

These videos are really good

[@lukescriven827]

Dr. Sugrue is an absolute legend!

[@11dsky78]

This is best place to start Philosophy. There is a need of more to delve into Schopenhauer philosophy to understand him better.

[@georgebyrne3925]

I was hoping this one would be located. Very nice!

[@consumeentertainment9310]

What a great communicator!!!

[@Littlebighottie]

I’ve been missing a lecture of Schopenhauer by the great Dr. Sugrue! I am delighted to see this

[@silverkeystoalchemicalgold3358]

Thanks for posting this, Dr Sugrue. I spend a lot of my workouts listening to this lecture series on x1.5 speed Always excellent content and I’m excited to watch this despite my familiarity with the content

[@ryans3001]

Thank You!

[@betelgeuse6617]

The one i was waiting for

[@blingpup21]

Can we reflect for a moment on how good this lecturer is.

[@indigochild2.098]

arghhhhh i have been waiting for the grand moment when more of mr sugrues lectures come out. thankyou so much! the other guy is okay, but i prefer sugrue cadence more, they both clearly share the same style in dialectic prowess, must be university thing, im from the uk! i sit down like a kid listening to these things and soak them up like a sponge, hes has what richard feyman, alan watts has, because hes so passionate about his work, everythin he says is like an entralling story in itself, and you can see in his exspression that he to, is enjoying the nuance of the matter at hand. luv this shit ahah

[@yeyoreview5661]

This is a professor, someone who makes you think, peaks clearly, you learn, you feel like you must look for more information and makes you seek knowledge not make it a task, he makes knowledge seen like a necesity of human existence which it is, school only tells you you must learn in order to do this, philosophy makes you want to know the world and comprehend it better, its a way of life.

[@TheAlanFFM]

That was amazing.....

[@samadhi5]

Ah, the esteemed Dr. Sugrue. With a cavernous cranial capacity, versatile vocabulary, and erudite explication of the corpus of Western philosophy, the good doctor is my preferred choice for instruction in the minutiae of the this realm we inhabit, which is called the universe. Thank you, Dr. Sugrue. 😊 👍

[@maxdawes73]

lotta big words there bucko

[@samadhi5]

Thank you, but my preferred informal appellation in an instance such as this is fella, rather than bucko.

[@gerhitchman]

Wow thats a lot of big words u must be really smrt

[@joshuajones634]

Worth the listen

[@andreasv9472]

So articulate, creative and clear. His lectures are as much art as it is education, and inspires me to become more well spoken as well.

[@3rdcoastnyucka]

This is biased from the beginning. He was not a “one-trick pony,” and his ideas are not “unpleasant” or “off-putting.” He combined Kant’s transcendental idealism with eastern philosophy, and wrote in a lovely, clear prose, unlike 99 percent of philosophers. He was an artist who understood the value of art. There’s a reason Tolstoy said he spent an amazing summer reading The World as Will and Representation.

[@3rdcoastnyucka]

Also, not mentioned: Schopenhauer wrote his magnum opus in his 20s and never swayed. He was a man who had an idea, and it never wavered, all the way to the grave.

[@3rdcoastnyucka]

He was also a promoter of peace, which was not mentioned. He thought that doing others wrong was the same as doing wrong to yourself, because we’re all part of the same, larger, combined will. This was a terrible analysis. Open book 2 of The World as Will and Representation (skip book 1), and see for yourself.

[@isaachester8475]

Yeah, I always thought Schopenhauer’s philosophy was rather comforting. It’s like he’s saying “We’re all suffering together so let’s try not to make it worse for each other.” It brings about a sort of kinship. The idea of the Will is truly brilliant and insightful, a very interesting response to Kant. Though I side more with Nietzsche in thinking that life is awesome and we should treasure it and also not demonize our desires. Dr. Sugrue seems to have a particular distaste for Schopenhauer which is understandable given all his other deficits, like misogyny. But it does us well to appreciate the good in things.

[@Henchgirl7342]

I think we have to cut the him some slack. He's a university professor Someone like Marx might call it a class interest

[@triggerwarningtruthjustfor5433]

That’s an understatement, he is a brilliant lecturer but seems to have a virulent personal dislike to Schopenhauer.

[@zumzumman5135]

Respect for this guy. May disagree and be some what put off by Schopenhauer’s thought but still presents it accurately and without distortion

[@TonyLouis9345]

Schopenhauer is one of my favorite philosophers. He is brilliant, innovative, insightful and original. Readers often miss his wonderful sense of humor. I often find myself in stiches as I come upon his wry and witty remarks. Kant puts me to sleep. Schopenhauer wakes me up and keeps me laughing. He would have been a wonderful standup comedian. I like the way Sugrue comments about Schopenhauer's influence on Freud. I wish he talked more about Schopenhauer's influence on modern physics, especially Einstein's theory of relativity and the whole field of Quantum Physics.