The Sage and the Art of Consciousness

Schopenhauer argues that, in addition to the desire denying asceticism mentioned above, the Sage also makes great use of art as a vehicle through which to turn away from the self and its desires altogether. When one is standing in a museum looking at a gorgeous painting or at a classical music concert immersed totally in the soundscape, one can forget oneself. And that feeling of momentary self-transcendence gives art much of its meaning and power. For Schopenhauer, human-willing, desiring, craving, etc. is at the root of suffering. A temporary way to escape this pain is through aesthetic contemplation. Many argue that he was the first modern philosopher