PHILOSOPHY - Schopenhauer

Arthur Schopenhauer was deeply influenced by Buddhist thought and is in many ways the West’s answer to it: he too tells us to reign in our desires and adopt a consolingly pessimistic attitude to our struggles.
Enjoying our KZbin videos? Get full access to all our audio content, videos, and thousands of thought-provoking articles, conversation cards and more with The School of Life Subscription: t.ly/rtW4v
Be more mindful, present and inspired. Get the best of The School of Life delivered straight to your inbox: t.ly/WwVqH
SOCIAL MEDIA
Feel free to follow us at the links below:
Facebook: / theschooloflifelondon
X: / theschooloflife
Instagram: / theschooloflifelondon
CREDITS
Brought to you by theschooloflife.com
Produced in collaboration with Mad Adam Films
madadamfilms.co.uk #TheSchoolOfLife

[@myleg9320]

"Directly after copulation the devil's laughter is heard" easily the best description of post nut clarity I've ever heard

[@benji4353]

Couldnt have said it better myself

[@diogenesthecynic1334]

@SubversiveMemes you are a philosopher

[@ericzong1189]

yup.

[@9000ck]

@@diogenesthecynic1334 nay, a sage.

[@mrijk1946]

It sucks to be human

[@Degjoy]

The Germans are known for their light-hearted, good-humoured, cheerful stance on life.

[@heartdriver1140]

Take my like and leave!

[@RealTerrainHobbies]

Hah, I’ll say!

[@MarthamwangiYthera]

a kenyan and I approve this statement. Most germans know how to have some good time.

[@northernmetalworker]

Ah, truly German humor at work here!

[@Ricardo-cl3vs]

@@MarthamwangiYthera We do. But we really don't want your ilk in our societies.

[@pradyumansingh7575]

' Purpose is a myth created by your will to give meaning to a life which in the end is meaningless ' Man he literally gave chills to me

[@krzysztofjuszczak906]

Where did you find that quote?

[@vatsalaykhobragade]

😂😂

[@Ricardo-cl3vs]

Sounds like something from The Matrix movies.

[@Andres_2004]

Is better to have a great purpose than doing nothing but yeah... is all meaningless

[@MegaAluchi]

Your words would upset Sartre

[@attitudego]

The quote by Socrates becomes all so relevant here. - "by All Means, Marry. If You Get a Good Wife, You'll Become Happy; If You Get a Bad One, You'll Become a Philosopher."

[@colinesquire2480]

😁

[@_Solaris]

Win-win. 😄

[@amando96]

It's funny cuz he's a philosopher

[@piccadelly9360]

I think there are so many Philosophers in this world

[@mladenpaleksic6023]

@@piccadelly9360 doubt..

[@Alter_Ego247]

When he was angry with his dog, he insulted him "you human"

[@JP-ku5hw]

That was a nice phrase. You deserve more likes, don't you?

[@allykillerqueen3691]

Nice pfp

[@albertcamus2904]

Stirneeeeeeeeeeeer

[@maguled]

He must have been extremely mad at his dog to use such an abusive phrase.

[@erniebuchinski3614]

I could never be so angry at either of my doggies that I would insult them to such a degree as that! 🤣

[@manasbudam7192]

5:23 hits home pretty hard. "we are all just like animals except because of our greater self-awareness, far more unhappy than animals"

[@colinesquire2480]

And mostly bigger idiots I'd suggest generally speaking 😂 The last year has been a real eye-opener

[@demetriustebet3786]

Not just like but the worst kind, no other species kill themselves like humans...

[@bobwilkinsonguitar6142]

Except that animals suffer just as much, is their lack of consciousness a gift or a curse? Is it truly a sin that we've partaken of the apple? Is it better to have been and suffered than never to have been at all? Ask Lot about that. Ask Jesus Christ about that one

[@demetriustebet3786]

@@bobwilkinsonguitar6142 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. I believe that our ability to reason is not a benefit but a detriment. I don't know any species that kills itself like humans do.

[@bobwilkinsonguitar6142]

@@demetriustebet3786 It very well may be, because the logical answer to "is it okay to have a universe where children starve" seems to be "no" But logic is a tool for life, and that's why satan in Milton's Paradise Lost is the purely rational, because when you fall in love with logic itself, you decide that it's better that nothing exist

[@VisiblyJacked]

My high school teacher told me that reading Nietzsche and Schopenhauer was just a phase. Decades later, I draw more consolation and inspiration from them than ever.

[@dunner079]

That's because your teacher was most likely either a woman or Neo-Social-Marxist. Or both!

[@nofilter3810]

I’ve heard similar things myself. I always have to laugh when I see jokes about this sort of philosophy getting written off as “edgy” or immature. Those people are either ignorant or afraid. And that’s besides the fact that the authors of this “edgy” philosophy were all older people with a life’s worth of experience.

[@diogenesthecynic1334]

My parents told me the same about reading philosophy. I've only been reading philosophy for a year , but as my eyes were opened , i don't think i will ever disrespect or forget philosophy until the end of life

[@ericreingardt2504]

A lot of people are nihilistic just to appear smart let's be honest

[@edgarduartegutierrez9860]

@@ericreingardt2504 being plainly nihilistic really is just a stupid phase

[@DanFeldmanAgileProjectManager]

His pessimism is so accurate and witty, that I found myself laughing at each of the quotations. He would have made an extraordinary stand-up comedian.

[@tshephangmoswete1286]

Him and George Carlin would've been best buds if they had ever met lol. But I'm sure if there's an afterlife they're looking down on us (humans) right now, laughing, probably calling us bastards and fucking idiots and such... I doubt there's much to do where they are, so at least we have a rebuttal, so up yours George! (I know he's talking the most shit) lol.

[@OMurchadha]

I'm just now introducing myself to philosophy, but it and comedy are ... well, sort of the same.

[@TSmith-yy3cc]

@0000 Upvote for the Cioran mention!

[@19ars92]

he definitely sounds like a frustrated man who realized the absurdity of our existence but for us laughing at that is what prevent us from going insane, Arthur just lost it, I wonder what actually save him from ending his existence when he realized the meaningless humanity.

[@neutralmilkbaby]

@@19ars92 human will stop him from necking himself.

[@Moribus_Artibus]

Young Person: "I am in love!" Schopenhauer: "No, you're just another organism obeying the will of the species"

[@nietzschesmustache9483]

Its like rick said 9RIck And Morty): Hard to break it to you buddy but what you call love is just a chemical reaction in the brain that compels animlas to breed. It hits hard, then fades away leaving you in a broken marrige. I did it, your parents will do it. Rise above. Focus on science.

[@sansflaws]

Young Person: "But I am gay" Schopenhauer: !?!??!!!?!!

[@Blackgriffonphoenixg]

Not according to modern psychology.

[@lepetitchat123]

I also add that love is a social construct. We are told that being in love is a socially acceptable thing to do. Most humans do what they do to seek social validation. Also to love someone reinforces one's ego. You only fall in love with someone who makes you feel good. Unrequited love fails because it's impossible to love someone who fails to reinforce your ego

[@lepetitchat123]

Ok English is not my first language. What I meant is unrequited love doesn't last in the long run. Humans will eventually move on looking for "love" or whatever that reinforces their ego elsewhere. Thanks for being so unnecessarily vile to a cyber stranger.

[@ericpa06]

"Directly after copulation the devil's laughter is heard." This quote is so amazing and funny hahaha

[@helloladies2223]

+Eric P. Alvaro My new tinder bio lol

[@S2Cents]

+Eric P. Alvaro I've heard it myself ~chills~ Especially after screwing a fatty. Well it's happened, I'm sorry.

[@peanutgallery7753]

+Eric P. Alvaro I laughed very hard. It's funny because it's true

[@SwayJJ]

+Eric P. Alvaro So outrageously pessimistic but so precisely accurate and comical

[@DexterHaven]

+Eric P. Alvaro Especially if the guy paid for it...

[@jaxs6912]

"That's why the faces of almost all elderly people are deeply etched with such disappointment" 🤣 took me out!!!💀

[@azolawentula9758]

But is it true...? I think so every old person I know seems like that maybe it's the wrinkles

[@19ars92]

we only get few years of actual good life during a lifetime after certain age, for humans is more about surviving than actually living

[@sandranenadic4356]

Me too I couldn't stop laughing :)

[@fahadhussain66]

You do occassionally encounter happy oldies every now and then. They are the "bloomers" within these doomer oldies.

[@johnnypastrana6727]

Perhaps anticipation and apprehension for the eventual breakdown of their health which will lead to their death? I am in the sunset years and certain thoughts creep in...Socrates said that a good man has nothing to fear in this world or the next.

[@louisglen7444]

When i’m living alone with only a poodle for company, I’ll call it Schopenhauer

[@martin33shazam91]

And name your cat Schrodinger.

[@louisglen7444]

Martin 33 Shazam that goes without saying

[@alwayssomewhattired]

Tommy Towngas and I’ll name mine Towngas

[@cosmosends]

Good idea tommy I'll just do that

[@mikenuzzo3323]

Toy poodles are great a bark a lot though

[@CharlyCBGB]

"Marriage is a debt that is contracted in youth and paid in old age.”, "To marry means to halve one’s rights and double one’s duties." My favorites from Arthur.

[@marcusanark2541]

Indeed he was a very wise man.

[@is-be6725]

As a married man, I live this reality everyday.

[@rickartdefoix1298]

According to what you quote, what read about him is right. He was kind of a misogin. Will have to take that side of him with humour, for I dislike misogyny. Am very fond of women. And not only for sexual reasons.

[@Gillxy]

@@is-be6725 i dont get it. could you explain

[@mirinah4719]

@@rickartdefoix1298 I agree with Arthur and I'm a woman

[@QSing999]

I'm back

[@billbobson543]

so what

[@QSing999]

so kiss my German ass.

[@SandhillCrane42]

You're just mad that Hegel gets all the ladies.

[@mainlander28]

Greetings from Offenbach.

[@jacob_massengale]

So you changed your mind about life then?

[@canyounot2102]

Seeing how he interpreted the idea of love, I would’ve loved seeing his reaction and thoughts on homosexuality

[@montyhale1899]

Huh, great suggestion

[@canyounot2102]

Mind Yogi // nevermind 😅😂😂

[@younglonny2220]

@@dharmakaya lmao this man laid the groundwork for incel theory

[@rachel8089]

Or asexual people (or just those uninterested in love)

[@emanuelmeneses9076]

@@canyounot2102 I believe must be the same, one of the reasons now a days homosexual fight for is for the right to be candidates to adopt childrens. If they really love each other, they'll spend only with themselves. Only my opinion and sorry for my bad English (Soy de Mexico).

[@animallivesmatter1136]

“The assumption that animals are without rights and the illusion that our treatment of them has no moral significance is a positively outrageous example of Western crudity and barbarity. Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality.” ― Arthur Schopenhauer

[@systekmusic]

Schopenhauer was a great philosopher. Sadly, he doesn't get the attention he deserves because he discusses things that people don't want to hear. People want to be told that they are special and that their life has some sort of intrinsic meaning, and so they cling to the fragmented quotes of more optimistic philosophers. Great video! I hope more people become interested in him and read his work.

[@fadi77fadi77]

+Systek the Alien Exactly, desire and illusion are parameters people generally want to cling to, but can you really blame them?

[@systekmusic]

+parasiticjustice I don't blame them, but I find it nonetheless unfortunate because when people latch themselves to these ideals and the groups that propagate them they behave irrationally.

[@fadi77fadi77]

+Systek the Alien Yes, they limit their perception of reality to their reality, that is indeed sad. Also, optimists are always more exposed to disappointments than pessimists. A pessimist will integrate an unfortunate event to his reality instead of reacting irrationally to it.

[@systekmusic]

+parasiticjustice Indeed.

[@systekmusic]

+Sean McNamara It isn't just the American Dream either; it is the game of make believe that is played by all societies of humans. People are immersed in their day-to-day existence, which is guided by arbitrary rules and structure. It is a facade of order and control, allowing us to forget the woes of the human condition and sink into comfort. As long as humans have desire for material things and superficial social interactions, they won't be able to rise from the sea they are submerged so deeply in and strive for rational thought. To relate it back to Schopenhauer, I believe we can attribute this in part to the Will to Life.

[@seeker3894]

That is why I love Schopenhauer, his point of view seems pretty realistic compared to others.

[@ciptandi]

Would it be because he deals with things that you can relate to?

[@seeker3894]

ciptandi Partly, not everything.

[@MarcDufresneosorusrex]

...for myself, the philosophers didn't even push for people to strive for more happiness, they wrote books in order to try to teach people about freedom.... ....sometimes even personal responsibility. What are we supposed to do, smile and be happy? Don't you feel stupid just pretending that things are ok...

[@LuisTorres-pp3xt]

And ironically so being that he was a metaphysical idealist

[@longbeachjjh]

Yea, it seems like it to me after watching this. I've never read any of his works but I'm wondering how his works are regarded by biologists. Is he generally considered a "philosopher"? I wonder if labels like "Scientist" or "Scientific Theorist" wouldn't be better to distinguish some of these great thinkers.

[@dawoodwaris]

I almost chocked on these beautiful quotes - "To marry means to do everything possible to become an object of disgust to each other." "Life has no intrinsic worth, but is kept in motion merely by desire and illusion."

[@malcolmvonburg791]

It took until my 40's to find peace and serenity. No kids, no wife, moving 2,800 miles away from relatives, buying a house in the quiet suburbs with neighbors at a distance. Filling my time when I'm not working with my hobbies.

[@tomn52jz53]

32 and single but by choice and of course that’s not my ego saying this but educated mid to upper level income but my soul is being sucked out each day I get into the office.. I have not found the marriage route as a viable option although if it happens great but it just doesn’t sit right with my conscious. Even looking at the close family relationships around me only bring a sense of cope/hopelessness as the answer to the suffering and questions we pretend don’t exist.. I went through the highest highs and lowest lows and now I feel no way about it. I was thinking of moving somewhere remote or even more polarizing joining military and shock my comfort cope🤷‍♂️🤣

[@entropie138]

Also in my 40s. My ex divorced me 6 years ago and still lived with me, bleeding me dry of funds and energy. Was finally able to get her out of my place earlier this year. I focused on my own health, happiness, and goals and now I find myself happier than I’ve been in the longest time.

[@Musashi-yj2gf]

what a dream. I'm 40 too.

[@kevinm97]

I like that he’s realistic and people will always hate the realism because its viewed as negative when in reality its true. most people dont want to own up to the truth and thats okay.

[@kshitijmehta5965]

@one I wish that too my friend....

[@CasperFiles1969]

21th century questions: Are we even real? What is reality?

[@rickartdefoix1298]

Well, am going to read Schopenhauer, but have been told he is quite a misogin, so I'll keep aside that aspect of his thinking. Won't share that. It doesn't go with me.

[@saamohod]

That's not okay.

[@maxque2841]

Bhandara Boys yes we are real. As Descartes put it: cogito ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. Because I am capable of thoughts/doubts, there must be a thinking/doubting entity. Therefore I exist.

[@alesa351]

Schopenhauer was NOT influenced by Buddhism, but he came to the same ideas as were written in the Upanishads from an entirely different (i.e. "western") route. It is for this reason that he deeply admired the Eastern teachings, and not because he got his ideas from them.

[@sylwia7060]

Exactly!!!👏👏👏 Greetings from faraway Norway 🤗♥💜💙💛💚💙

[@arjunjacob1505]

@Greg Jacques Lucifer's Jizz Gargler no? He arrived at the same conclusions as eastern teachings without knowing that they existed. He only found out later when he read about them. They confirmed his views.

[@SonofSethoitae]

A claim which seems dubious, given that he was undoubtedly familiar with Eastern philosophy by 1813 and didn't start writing The World as Will and Representation until 1814.

[@VisiblyJacked]

@Greg Jacques Lucifer's Jizz Gargler Schopenhauer lived a century before those you mentioned. He was one of the first to benefit from brand new German translations of Eastern works which had been unknown in Europe before.

[@mo0on487]

@Greg Jacques Lucifer's Jizz Gargler you sound like a moron

[@enuffsnuff]

It took me 36 years of aimless growing up to find the man who could explain to me that which was intuitively obvious on the first day of preschool: This world is an illuminated personal presentation of something utterly dark and impersonal. I am ever grateful to this genius. xo

[@JayYangInspires]

"Talent hits a target no one else can hit; genius hits a target no one else can see." - Arthur Schopenhauer

[@Dazbog373]

A philosopher who more persuasively than any other espoused music as the highest of the arts. I still believe it's a close second to poetry. But I agree with Nietzsche who said "without music, life would be a mistake."

[@Dazbog373]

***** I wouldn't call chess an art, more a well-defined form of computation. Without chess, life would be less rich, but hardly a mistake.

[@Dazbog373]

***** It's an endeavor I lack the talent to excel in but have enough knowledge of to appreciate.

[@ThePeaceableKingdom]

+Landau But time is a child playing checkers, said Heraclitus... :)

[@Dazbog373]

***** The latter part of your comment is probably what Nietzsche meant by his judgment of music. What would our species even be like without music?

[@koohoo4500]

+Landau Good chess players memorize startings and endings, so in that way it kinda is like an art comparable to a novel.

[@miscellaneousstuff8362]

Schopenhauer philosophy sober up and can be a quite chocking experience for one who read his books for the first time, but you fall in love with this author and keep reading those books again and again.

[@NoGlams]

Ha! The Irony, falling in love with schopenhauer

[@pacaljaguar]

I fall in love with schopenhauer, i identify myself with his ideas.

[@martinwarner1178]

What about reading a book on grammar?

[@eze7902]

Might just be his first sure disciple......In that sense I'm in love with him

[@victoriadombrowski384]

Artie was one hell of a character,and a hell of a thinker. I have so many favorite quotes of his,I'll just leave one. In his elder years he had finally attained some noteriety,and a young admirer asked him:if life is so miserable and pointless,why do you go on with it? His reply was,"Because it's so fascinating!"

[@vukadinstanisic2498]

is this true story?

[@jerryhall5709]

Schopenhauer makes me happy and less lonely. It's nice to know that not all humans are ignorant fools. Wisdom is like a tiny bit of light in a world that is mostly dark.

[@das0716]

So, to sum up: life is objectively meaningless and filled with strife and suffering, so we should enjoy art to distract ourselves from it while we marry someone we come to hate.

[@YeahForSure99]

Exactly.

[@estebanb7166]

Wrong.

[@filmaurice5983]

@akshay Viswambharan Yes but I think subjective meaning is enough for most people, including me.

[@Komodo1312]

Kierkegaard: Marry them or don''t marry them, you will regret it anyhow.

[@100mythfreak]

"Every life history is the history of suffering" - Schopenhauer. He must be great at parties.

[@sseaditya]

I'm writing that down somewhere, "Directly after copulation, the devil's laughter is heard". It just encapsulates him so perfectly!

[@EdSmed20]

he was ahead of his time. some may call him depressed, i call him honest

[@joeyjojoshabado5064]

Both

[@joeyjojoshabado5064]

Both

[@44gg37]

i’d call him an incel and a failure

[@EdSmed20]

@@44gg37 an incel--maybe. a failure? he's one of the most famous philosophers of all time, hardly a failure.

[@hattorihaso2579]

​@@44gg37same

[@TheBansheeBomb]

This guy is metal as fuck.

[@tomh281]

lmao

[@Owwwwie]

I dont see why his comment warrants such a response? did you read "metal" as mental?

[@Erazmaus]

I... Don't think he was discrediting Schopenhauer at all.

[@hellinterface6721]

He doesn't listen to metal.

[@tealeyevisuals7446]

+Immortal Seventeen "Cursing is a good way to get yourself to a vacation to the earth's core after you're dead. I hope you enjoy 6,000 degrees Kelvin. That's as hot as the surface of the star that is the central body of the solar system, around which the planets revolve and from which they receive light and heat. Repent and turn to Jesus Christ." Are you a traditional catholic?

[@TheCoffeeNut711]

I went there a existential crisis at the age of 15. The loving home and environment, I discovered, was not experienced by everyone. War, slavery, child exploitation, on and on I discovered the cruelty of human history. I escaped my pessimism, but I think schools should enlighten students on the bad side of life.

[@aenarionthepretender7010]

to live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering

[@marchdarkenotp3346]

- Nietzsche

[@YeahForSure99]

Pessimism is good. We should embrace it. The only reason we are unhappy is because we expect to be happy. If we don't expect anything, then nothing is lost.

[@Bilboswaggins2077]

- YeahForSure - I think Pessimism is shocking momentarily but I think it gives us strength to recognize that suffering can make us strive. I can’t imagine living my entire life as a pessimist

[@emmanueloluga9770]

@@YeahForSure99 pessimism is simply immaterial stoicism

[@ericgrelet8538]

That was the most valuable piece of education I’ve ever come across

[@swastiknagar1567]

*to marry is to half one’s rights and double one’s responsibilities* - shopenhauer 🙌🏻

[@imperishablestuff8758]

True!

[@yellowlightingbolt]

The thing that surprises me the most about Schopenhauer is his sense of humor. I never thought I would laugh so hard reading a philosopher. He truly was a genius and probably one of the most brilliant minds ever existed.

[@kumardigvijaymishra5945]

I have found humor to be misleading and dragging the reader away from understanding the central theme.

[@cpmcfactsaboutyourhealthpl519]

To me, all laughter is laughing at death. The absurdity is very funny.

[@abdulazizhawsah9884]

Albert Eisenstein had a picture of him on the wall.

[@dunner079]

I read the views of Schopenhauer to my girlfriend and she literally cried.

[@esmolol4091]

you sir, are my hero

[@wwbenee]

That's because women hate to be found out. Be sure to read her some of his 'On Women'.

[@esmolol4091]

@@wwbenee oooh yeah. She will have a mental breakdown.

[@mrJohnDesiderio]

She realized the truth! Smart person. Are you marrying her?

[@tdsims1963]

A woman asks: "And so...Did she confess that she also finds YOU to be rather absurd, too?" I am amused that a lot of men find women to be awful but don't seem to recall the long sad history of women forced to put up with horrible, disgusting men for the reasons of financial alliances, etc. It is good that she cried. Now she is stripped of her illusions where you are concerned. Welcome to the "realistic relationship"!

[@MrAlexoe2000]

i love when i hear the maracas at the beginning ... i lost my right leg in may and ever since i discover this channel i ve been listening to all the capsules that are posted but the one that i enjoy the most is this one... thank you

[@azolawentula9758]

He says the faces of old people are deeply etched with disappointment, I second that 😂😂😂

[@Jokkkkke]

Its like every philosophy video you do ends up being an argument for watching more of your videos (i.e. learning more about philosophy and art)

[@danielmcelroy4505]

Is that necessarily a bad thing? 😜

[@Jokkkkke]

***** Did I every imply that these videos weren't meant to that? No and, actually, I agree that these videos are meant to do what you say they are meant to do along side what I said they could be meant for.

[@danielmcelroy4505]

***** I just read this version for class, and it's a nice introduction www.amazon.co.uk/A-Nietzsche-Reader-Classics-Friedrich/dp/0140443290 Hope this helps!

[@jessstuart7495]

Schopenhauer's works had a very big influence on Nietzsche.

[@josephchoucair3417]

Man can do what he wants, but not want what he wants

[@virvisquevir3320]

joseph choucair - Man can choose to do what he wants but cannot choose what he wants.

[@raymondflores5176]

@@virvisquevir3320 thats broke berniesanders philosophy

[@antihero105]

Reminds me of Dostoyevsky and his rants on irrational choice

[@suvineetsrivastava3011]

I thought it was, "A man can do as he will, but can he will as he will."

[@jorgemanso521]

@Greg Jacques Lucifer's Jizz Gargler Yeah...I do not think there is free will...

[@aconsciousnaut5323]

His work is complimented by Richard Dawkin's Selfish Gene. It explains why the human impulses are like what's described by Schopenhauer.

[@jules9266]

nobody: school of life: we should treat Schopenhauer like a god

[@shaggystone6397]

....and his books should be treated as holy books..

[@OmarDelawar]

BECAUSE HE IS ONE GOD-DAMNIT!!!!

[@SteveJobzz]

If you think about it, this is one of the earlier official works alluding to evolution before Darwin actually worked out the details..

[@NeroKaligula]

@@SteveJobzz i know it's insane

[@someone_gentle7034]

So wierd, i love the way bertrand russell shrugs him off as a deeply selfish man.

[@nastyasimrov5956]

Life's a peace of sh*t when you look at it

[@alexanderd1263]

Piece*

[@TroPy1n]

Life's a laugh, and death's a joke..it's true

[@rileysanderson3824]

Monty Python

[@Sebastianrm30]

But we can still laught at it.

[@artorias1903]

Only if you make it.

[@Arohan71]

All the references to the Buddha in this got me thinking. The School of Life has focused mainly on European philosophers, some ones from the U.S. and a touch of Eastern Philosophy from time to time. Are there any plans to introduce and examine ideas from other philosophers around the world? I know little to nothing about philosophers from the Middle East, the various African Nations, the Native American groups etc. Getting a chance to examine and compare those ideas might be interesting.

[@favm360]

+Aaron Radney I was just about to raise that issue. Even in Western philosophy, there are philosophers like Web Dubois who had non-Western ideas. I'd also like to see more women like Simone de Beauvoir, Angelas Davis, Judith Butler, etc.

[@MrAwrsomeness]

+Favm360 Its probably due to the fact other philosophers are not as well documented or intriguing as European ones. I don't think I have ever heard of a unwesternized African philosopher.

[@Arohan71]

Interesting is a matter of opinion and the level of documentation is a matter of systematic ignorance by a eurocentric academia that has purposely and unnecessarily ignored philosophers from elsewhere in the world. I'm looking forward to seeing is School of Life has the will to look beyond the typical philosophical blindspots we tend to have in the west and use their platform to introduce people to ideas beyond what we too often consider the accepted canon.

[@FaithlessDwarf]

+Aaron Radney that's one fantastic suggestion, indeed! I can't speak for Middle Eastern or Native American philosophies, but you can be sure that the Asian continent has a much more philosophical rootedness than us in the West. There is a LOT worth exploring there!

[@MrAwrsomeness]

Aaron Radney It is not the job of Europeans to document other philosophers.

[@jacksarmento5051]

I cannot stress this enough, the videos this channel has done on philosophy are significant contributions to the world. Whoever narrates these videos, you have made profound impacts on myself and so many others, thank you.

[@anaidceniceroscruz6752]

I love this channel because it explains things that would otherwise give me anxiety in a nice, compasionate and kind manner...

[@jessicacerullo3155]

I absolutely adore Schopenhauer! I first read his work in a class I took called "Illusion & Truth" that dealt with Eastern and Western philosophers. Since then, I bought my own copy of the World as Will & Representation and everything he writes is so beautiful. I especially like his theory on Beauty and the Sublime. And he's the only western philosopher I've ever read who directly quotes the Vedic texts! In 1818! Also, his mother was an established writer and often kept in company with Goethe. It's no wonder art was so important to his philosophy. Thank you for putting him on the spotlight!

[@fortuneeeeeeeeeee5220]

Jessica Cerullo so cool how your into Schopenhauer, seems he was your favorite

[@axiomist1076]

I never looked into this man. Knowing that he quotes the Vedas makes me want to read that book. Especially after hearing this video.

[@hamzam11]

" his theory on Beauty and the Sublime" This is proof that you read all the book....and that why I don't like "romantic", "erotic" and "nostalgic" works of art. They made the "will" work! However, the most interesting part of his work is the consideration of the "thing itself" as something given to us in our psychological life and experience and the analogy between our own will and the forces of Nature.

[@wwbenee]

Schopenhauer was himself a good friend of Goethe.

[@ottonormal3354]

@@wwbenee not really, in the beginning yes, but as i remember, they split up in the end... But i could be worng, its a long time ago i read the story of his life.

[@roidroid]

Wow, Schopenhauer died a mere 1 year after "Origin of the Species" was published. His ideas seem to have a lot in common with what we now know as evolutionary psychology, so I wonder if his ideas were the initial inspiration for Darwin and Wallace's great work.

[@MrStranger1944]

+roidroid This is very true and often goes unnoticed. For as much slack Schopenhauer gets about some of his definitely metaphysical accounts of things like the Will and reliance on Platonic Forms, he certainly wasn't without scientific relevance.

[@EJBS1991]

+roidroid exactly. Arthur would have been very pleased if he could have read Origin of the Species. All the contemporary greatest scientific theories were confirming all of his ideas, as you can see in Schopenhauer's book "on the will in nature"

[@OldSchopenhauer]

+roidroid Lamarkian evolution was around during Schopenhauer's time, and he expressed mixed sentiments about that.

[@tilinapple]

also jared diamond

[@tilinapple]

"the selfish gene"

[@emilcioran8873]

What ever people may think about him, he was spot on with all of his words. True genius

[@supersaiyanzero386]

I seriously have always had Schopenhauer's view on love, and I'm often humbled by how easy it is to forget that everything superimposed on the desire to reproduce is bull shit. It's fun, it feels good. The first few weeks or months or even a couple years. After that if you aren't friends or partners sharing life to mutual benefit you will get bored or have problems with each other or life. Schopenhauer's philosophy thankfully has reminded me I'm getting stupid, and i need to come down off this shit.

[@sledgehammer5033]

Schopenhauer and Kierkegaard are the real OG’s of Millennial philosophy. If more of us understood why we were so miserable it’d be easier to get by with that misery.

[@SwayJJ]

"To marry means to do everything possible to become an object of disgust to each other" "Every life history is the history of suffering" Imagine meeting Schopenhauer at at a party and having a conversation with him. You will lose all optimism about life in about 20 seconds flat haha. Suggestion: do not ask him to make a speech at your wedding....it could never end well

[@paununs8719]

Or maybe he'd play an awesome flute solo.

[@vishalshukla5536]

Lololol😂😂

[@canyounot2102]

SwayJJ // my guy probably didn’t go to parties anyways

[@davidowen4816]

Schopenhauer's "Studies in Pessimism" is a joy to read. A short but sweet selection of essays. Highly recommended.

[@luigirnotyourbusiness8127]

He was just very honest about his feelings

[@marcdellorusso180]

He may have been pessimistic about life, but he was right. World As Will is one of the greatest books ever written, and it's a shame it's not more well known.

[@marcdellorusso180]

It is with people who read philosophy, but not the general public.

[@danielmulholland5869]

Marco Dellorusso The will to life is subservient to the will to power

[@jessstuart7495]

I also enjoyed "Studies in Pessimism".

[@ahal_gokdepe]

someone once said - You will never be happy, until you realize that you will never be happy.....

[@lukaswolczyk3236]

Daniel Mulholland really ? Isn't it just ONE _ the same . Whatever you call it.

[@marco39120]

After watching this video, I'm almost certain that Schopenhauer was one of the most profound human being to ever live and I want to start a church dedicated to him.

[@davem5308]

With tax exemptions and loop holes, or perhaps even government funding?

[@francisdec1615]

Late answer, but there is already a Schopenhauer society in Frankfurt since more than 100 years. One of the presidents of the society and his wife are actually buried close to Schopenhauer, because they thought it was such an honour even to be close to his ashes.

[@TheRTM]

Wow.... I’m stunned ..... never heard of this man till this day. I will definitely be adding Schopenhauer to my library.

[@lucioh1575]

Schopenhauer's views are dark as fuck. He believed it was unethical to reproduce. He wasn't necessarily wrong though.

[@dusanninic9572]

Do you have Carl Sagan's books in your library?

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

for the many dear Schopenhauer friends here: It is really a great pleasure for me to see how many fans this wonderful author still has today. One more thing : His poodle was called "ATMA" - that means world soul in Sanskrit ! And one must not forget that Schopenhauer was a friend of the congenial Spaniard Balthasar Gracian, whose main work "Oraculo manual y arte de prudencia" (Huesca a. d. 1647) he has wonderfully, almost one would like to say lovingly translated into German. Who would like to get to know him better, this book of the ingenious Jesuit is warmly recommended. He will be able to learn a lot of wise from it and see that the world has not changed - or hardly changed - for almost 375 years (!!). And why: Because man always remains the same ! Yours Don Alfredo (aka Al Schmidt).

[@daveevans4782]

Thanks for the recommendation, Gracian is a name i see often reoccurring in Schopenhauer's writing and he would seem to hold him i high regard, this is also true of Seneca, i in turn would recommend to people his "Epistles" or "Letters" that he sent to his friend Lucilius, these, imo, contain insightful, motivating and powerful remarks and observations about life in general

[@KookiesNolly]

.....I think he needs a hug

[@ayem4542]

he's dead.

[@KookiesNolly]

+Anarchical Mayhem certainly because he was hugged enough in his life.

[@anabonn3044]

@@martingarreis who says it? Schopenhauer? how pessimist! LOL XD

[@leekevin1265]

his philosophy is just a mirror of his misery life.

[@user-oo2hc7fr6g]

You still have not seen the true identity of human nature yet. Live happily as you’re now motivated by the sources from outside but no one respect or envy your life. Have a insight... regular people Lol

[@davesmithSFCA]

*Directly after copulation,* _the devil's laughter is heard_ #schopenhauer

[@tristantully5029]

+dave smith lol

[@tylermerlin8320]

Soon drowned out by the shrieks of trouser trolls.

[@silassilvanus5797]

Also known as post nut clarity...

[@jeramysteve3394]

Aka post nut clarity.

[@milascave2]

Huh. ZIt must sound a lot like heavy breathing.

[@ManojJinadasa]

this is beautiful at its nutshell, this is not pessimism but this is the practical optimism that one can reach his/her destination

[@susannadvortsin]

Now that Im older, much of what Shoepenhauer says resonates with me, especially about marriage and human relationships.

[@MemnonXIII]

Schopenhauer is one of my favorite p[philosophers and his philosophy is a hard pill to swallow for those trapped in the superficial tradition of the world we live in

[@JohnDoe-ob5jj]

'it is evident that, just as we know our walking to be only a constantly prevented falling, so is the life of our body only a constantly prevented dying, an ever postponed death.' - Schopenhauer

[@Markusableitinger1]

One of the few times i have concentrated very carefully to everything that's been said here about Schopenhauer ...great 9 min!

[@LungaMasilela]

"To marry means to do everything possible to become an object of disgust to each other" Had me on the floor🤣

[@felixwegner4713]

"In my 17th year I was gripped by the misery of life, as Bhudda the has been in his life, when he saw sickness, old age, pain and death. The truth was that this world could not have been the work of an all loving Being, but rather that of a devil, who had brought creatures into existence in order to delight in their sufferings." This is me right now...

[@prithivdev1669]

I think Buddhism is deeply misunderstood, although buddhism states the above it also provides great solution towards happiness. Mindfulness, meditation, humility and universal compassion in Buddhism are all the antidotes to depression. I think Schopenhauer was right in some places but universal compassion, continual renewal of perception and mindfulness are somethings he missed out. One more thing to point out while Schopenhauer insists on a static philosophy, Buddhism actually offers a way of life, that when continually practiced leads to a more focused aware and happy mind. The main distinction between western and eastern philosophy is that wisdom and happiness in the west is considered to be something that one simply attains and remains as such. While the east states that it's something that one has to attain through certain practises, contemplations and will, and it tells that even after one does attain a certain level on clarity, one must still practice it in order to subscribe to it. Anyways great video, thank you for all your work. Would be great if you can reply back.

[@mad6582]

Great reply!

[@Macrats]

Holy shit, you just gave me an epiphany I still had not obtained with the video. The Western World never really pointed me out to what really means to be happy. But actually, I think the most powerful people in their region always were seem as a model in that matter. The bourgeoisie in the 19th Century were of great fortune, correct manners and clothing. Afterwards, the media kind of obtained that position as the one that shows what is meant to be done in order to be full. It's like our Buddha is fucking TV and internet. American Gods was actually right, goddam.

[@susanneville5235]

k

[@thinzin101]

I am glad that I found this channel early in my life.

[@beyondcommonera6690]

I discovered Schoepenahuer thumbing through a philosophy bookshelf at Barnes and Noble years ago and still continue to read a passage or two once in a while even now.

[@carte3527]

The truth is that we all think that we know something, but we don't know anything. This is all going to end no matter what, so enjoy your life while you can

[@dairyproducts]

seems to me that you apparently "know" a few things, i.e that this will all end and that we should enjoy our lives. Welcome to philosophy!

[@markriva4259]

What's to enjoy if you despise yourself?

[@nickcs9597]

I read the last sentence as "This is all going to end no matter what, so end your life while you can"

[@feli6277]

In solitude you find happiness

[@Pauly421]

As a recent subscriber and someone who's watched many of your videos now allow me to say this: Your channel is inspiring. Just reading the genuinely intelligent comments and discussions below says to me that you've attracted a great audience and I hope you continue to grow. We need more deep thought in our lives and you provide just the catalyst for it. Thank you

[@arcarrjr]

Hear, hear!

[@AMADYTB]

agree 100%

[@reevathakkar4956]

This explains my parents marriage beautifully.

[@Awakenbeing]

I love Philosophy lessons by The School of Life. the voice is so mesmerizing.

[@Commandovahkiin]

Sir Schopenhauer, your greatness remains unparalleled. And who is to say that celibate men can not bear children. You birthed a philosophical giant, Friedrich Nietsche.

[@oliviaalmonds2255]

Yes!! 🥺

[@watz_goin_on_zen]

This is one of my favourite KZbin videos. Great work from The School of Life, bringing us a clear and understandable summary of the most important teaching of this philosopher.

[@someguyfromanotherplanet5284]

I laughed throughout this video. Schopenhauer is a kind of friend I might never have.

[@braddurian]

The “Will to Life” Schopenhauer wrote about sounds a lot like Nietzsche’s “Will To Power” which influenced Freud’s Pleasure Principle.

[@Noitisnt-ns7mo]

Freud was a fraud.

[@braddurian]

@@Noitisnt-ns7mo Freud for all of his faults remains one of the greatest and most influential thinkers of the 20th Century. Specifically his conceptualization of defense mechanisms to protect the psyche, the interpretation of dreams as wish fulfillment were revolutionary and the start of reform around the treatment of mental illness. We now know that the id, ego and superego actually correspond to specific centers in the brain such as the basal ganglia and frontal lobe. Freud haters never deny that he was a super genius that wrote well they just say he was warped and rigidly dogmatic which he was as well.

[@ottonormal3354]

Nietzsche´s was a big fan of Schopenhauer.

[@Szchandler]

when I came across with Schopenhauer's work some months ago...I knew I was not alone, I'd love to be able to travel back in time and to drink a beer in a tavern with him.

[@tranquil87]

+Josué Chandler Too bad he would have never been inside that tavern to begin with... or if it was some place more appropriate, he would have already reserved the seat next to him to be sure no one takes it!

[@Szchandler]

seems like you did travel back in time and met him eh

[@scally4A]

+Josué Chandler I'd join you on that....I'd "die" to meet the Master...

[@Darpinion]

"The World As Will and Representation" is in my library, and one of the first philosophical books I read.

[@juliensorel2517]

You are brave. I just bought it this morning, and i'm quite intimidated to be honest. How is it ?

[@simonafflerbach3388]

Have you continued reading? I´ve read it recently as well and I find his basic philosophy too pessimistic for my personal taste. A acausal, random but allpowered Will guiding us all, being cause to the whole world which is merely what we think we observe is ... not exactly my way of seeing the world :D What do you think?

[@juliensorel2517]

Simon Afflerbach Id like to discuss it with you, but i decided to follow the author's advice included in the introduction, in which he suggest to the reader to be familiar with his first book On the Fourfold Root of the Principle of Sufficient Reason and with Kant's philosophy in order to fully understand his conception. But if i might ask you, don't you think that philosophy isn't about tastes and preferences, but about the truth ? Would you say that his conception is false and non-reliable ?

[@simonafflerbach3388]

Vincent Masson I didn´t mean it like that, sorry of that wasn´t clear. I, on a personal level, simply disagree with his Philosophy in some major points. He has some thesis about life, especially empathy and respect that I 100% agree with but those aren´t exactly many. Don´t get me wrong, I think Schopenhauer is an amazing Philosopher and should be taught in school, I simply disagree with his Philosophy alot. Same thing with Nietzsche. I also don´t think there is a "truth" you can formulate that is right for everybody, because life and the world in general are subjective (i agree with him in that regard). Philosophy is rather formulating Theories about life, existence in general and stuff. The Personal Opinions and Theories of others. I think everyone should find his very own Philosophy for life.

[@simonafflerbach3388]

Vincent Masson also, if you want to fully understand Schopenhauer you should simply follow the adive he gives in his first Book: "Read it twice" ;)

[@all_is_1485]

Watching this and listening to De Botton’s loving, respectful admiration makes me really want to revisit Schopenhauer’s philosophy!

[@jesusisking3974]

Bertrand Russell once quoted... " Accept Philosophy with a measure of doubt." I like that ! 🤗🙏

[@groovy3443]

This is by far your best Philosophy video. It actually almost made me cry (almost). Thank you for introducing me to all these great people , which i other wise wouldn't know about.

[@NinthCinemaDown]

This is one of the few humans I've read that have been able to step outside their own ego and use straight intellect to critique humans as the animals they are. Of course, most humans not capable of such detachment will not be thrilled to hear his critique, just like if one day an enlightened monkey turned to all other monkeys and somehow communicated that they were all mindless, blind poo flingers who accomplish nothing in their lives. Overly pessimistic? Sure. But that's what happens when one truly awakens to something they'd been hypnotically blind to. Just like when people (of any country) first learn their government does evil, horrible things, many times in secret, other times openly but with a media spin and positive propaganda, they get angry and horrified, and their perspective will be very critical. It's not that all governments are all evil and must be stopped, but rather, one should take the critique seriously to open their eyes and seek reform.

[@sablewings2693]

Usually the adolescent years between 14 and 18. Teenagers get a hit off of finding dirty secrets. What better secrets to find out than government inside jobs? They try to spread the knowledge to their family, friends, and peers in hopes of "wakening" them from the illusion only to find out the horrible truth that these people would always choose the blue pill.

[@PlatypusLLC]

I keep on watching this video every other day. I’m just so happy that I found out about him. I’ve always loved philosophy but hadn’t found someone that came to the conclusions I came on my own based on my life experience, until now, and I don’t feel alone or odd about my stances about life when I hear about or read his work.

[@la_.369.]

Great you have got enlightenment buddy.

[@la_.369.]

😊

[@salthesadmanshark5645]

Yep this is exactly my kind of philosophy

[@pa3s582]

“Marrying means, to grasp blindfolded into a sack hoping to find an eel out of an assembly of snakes.” - Arthur Schopenhauer

[@Hy-jg8ow]

His philosophy fits with Darwin`s theory of evolution like a glove. Pity you basically left out his antinatalism though.

[@SohamMukhopadhyay56]

I was scrolling the comments to find if anyone has noticed the similarity with Darwin! It is fascinating how these two geniuses reached the same conclusion of 'selfish nature of sex and marriage' through different routes.

[@lepetitchat123]

its school of life channel, they will censor any content they consider "anti-life"

[@DANMAMA110]

darwin was 21 years younger than schopenhauer , so maybe darwin was inspired by schopenhauer's idea...

[@SteveJobzz]

Because they want everything to sound like la la land. He also has some things to say about women that would not be pc today. They left that out too.

[@Hy-jg8ow]

@@SteveJobzz Nah, everyone makes some mistakes, even geniuses. His view on women was pretty backwards, influenced by how women were socialized into damsels in distress. Its just like how Newton, despite his genius believed in alchemy and magic.

[@unocarb]

I can proudly say I am a modern monk..I love this, I had a vasectomy at 18 years old, I never cared for sex or other people and have no interest in fame or recognition..I live for me, by me and only for my happiness and wealth hidden in plain sight as an urban hermit..my life is wonderful

[@greenproperties7895]

that is sad so sad that it hurts, try not to find comfort in this. Except if you are mentally ill then you need meds.

[@unocarb]

@@greenproperties7895 You are obviously a troll..

[@seanosullivan2715]

You just might be on to something. "Wrong head thinking", is what my pop ( maternal grandfather), called the mistakes that begin when testosterone make it's grand, gland(ular), and masculine performance on the stage de vida. Then such decisions, occur less, as it wanes, ergo, evidentiary of it's effects.

[@heekyungkim8147]

👍🏽

[@greenproperties7895]

@@unocarb I pity you with all my heart! Try a psychologist before you go insane. He can tell you what is wrong with you and fix you with meds or something. Farewell!

[@manasbudam7192]

It's intriguing to know how common all the philosophers view art and literature. They uphold its importance and prefer tragedies which help us understand life better.

[@hikarikimikokiyoko6592]

You guys make a beautiful job. Not just for philosophy but also to society and mankind. I wish the best for The School of Life ever.

[@Spasstiful]

What is often being forgotten is, Schopenhauer is one of the most skillful writers! I have never read something of him in english though, so I can only speak for the original, german ones. There are not many peoples who are so able with letters. Reading those lines makes you not only understand it, but feel it. Also, he was, as an individual, not really that pessimistic, he just wasn't an optimist which was the usual case in the philosophy of his time. His humor and his punchlines against fellow thinkers (which all went for the god approach, schopenhauer was the only one trying to explain the world without it) are pretty funny and speak from the love of concise thought that he held in high regard. Also he helps you understand Kant much better with his precise analysing. I recommend everyone to read alone his four pages about peoples who carelessly make noise. Just joy.

[@geshvadnasiri7626]

What's the name of the passage you recommended? Is it in a book or does it stand alone? A link to it is appreciated ☺️

[@alterego3985]

Dark season 3 on Netflix opens up its first episode with Shopnehauer's quote and watching this video makes very much sense about all the characters' fate.

[@troyhayder6986]

Philosophy is the science of doubt which leads to concluding doubt from doubt in a never ending infinite loop that every decent programmer knows will crash your program...

[@questioneverything2488]

I have never heard of this man but I tell you this, this video is one of the best I have ever seen and skilfully prepared and bears the hallmarks of Truth. I shall now read Schopenhauer thank you very much

[@gregprice7972]

Love these videos. Some of the most interesting and original content on youtube. Thank you for sharing these ideas in such an accessible way

[@killgazmotron]

that is the most striking and poetic description of pnc ive ever heard.

[@futurez12]

Haha, I love this guy Schopenhauer! Never heard of him before but I found myself nodding along with his philosophy.