The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer; The Art of Literature
Mar 2020 · Otbebookpublishing
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95
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About this ebook
Excerpt: "Obscurity and vagueness of expression are at all times and everywhere a very bad sign. In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred they arise from vagueness of thought, which, in its turn, is almost always fundamentally discordant, inconsistent, and therefore wrong. When a right thought springs up in the mind it strives after clearness of expression, and it soon attains it, for clear thought easily finds its appropriate expression." --------- Being myself a musician and trained in nada yoga, that is, the yoga of sound, I recently started reading a short book on listening by a French philosopher and aesthetician in the postmodern tradition. The language was so convoluted and chock-full of double negatives, qualifications, obscure language and multiple references, I almost felt like shouting, 'My good man, if you have something insightful to say, kindly say it!'"
About the author
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) was a German philosopher whose profound and often pessimistic worldview left an indelible mark on both philosophy and literature. Born in Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland), Schopenhauer was a contemporary of Hegel, though he famously despised Hegel's idealism, leading to one of the most notable intellectual rivalries of the 19th century. Schopenhauer's philosophy centered on the concept of the "will to live," an irrational force driving human existence, which he believed was the root of all suffering.His magnum opus, "The World as Will and Representation," introduced revolutionary ideas about the nature of reality and human desire, influencing a wide array of thinkers, from Friedrich Nietzsche to Sigmund Freud. Schopenhauer's bleak outlook on life, coupled with his advocacy for asceticism and compassion, offered a stark contrast to the optimistic humanism of his time.Controversially, Schopenhauer held misogynistic views, which have sparked significant debate and criticism. Despite this, his work has been lauded for its literary quality and philosophical depth, resonating with existentialist and nihilist writers. His emphasis on art, particularly music, as a means of transcending the will, prefigured later aesthetic theories and inspired composers like Richard Wagner.Schopenhauer's influence extends beyond philosophy into literature, psychology, and even popular culture, making him a figure of enduring fascination. His introspective and often cynical perspective on human nature continues to captivate modern readers, offering a counterpoint to more optimistic philosophies and inviting reflection on the darker aspects of the human condition.
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