Art of Darkness Arthur Schopenhauer: Will, Women, Porcupines and Poodles
Oct 5, 2025
Dive into the life of Arthur Schopenhauer, the philosopher who championed deep pessimism and the concept of will. Explore his tumultuous family background, including his mother's influence and their dramatic fallout. Discover his controversial views on women and love, along with his notorious feud with Hegel. The hosts reveal how Schopenhauer transformed personal struggles into profound philosophical insights, all while navigating academic failures and gaining fame. His connections to key cultural figures add an intriguing layer to his legacy.
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Will As The Thing-In-Itself
- Schopenhauer's philosophy ties Kantian subject-object split to a metaphysical will that underlies all phenomena.
- He claims we access the thing-in-itself through our inner experience of willing, not only appearances.
Merchant Upbringing And Early Tensions
- Arthur grew up in a wealthy merchant family and was groomed to join the business he detested.
- His father emphasized penmanship, posture, and merchant skills while Arthur preferred philosophy and travel.
Family Mental-Health Legacy
- Heinrich Flores showed increasing depression and violent verbal outbursts that Arthur later recognized in himself.
- The Dutch side of the family contributed mental-health problems across generations.
