Worker and Parasite On the Suffering of the World by Arthur Schopenhauer
Jan 27, 2026
They debate Schopenhauer’s idea of the Will as an unconscious force shaping life. They contrast suffering and boredom as life’s twin poles. They argue about denying desire through asceticism or art versus accepting and minimizing striving. They wrestle with the ethics of procreation and whether preserving consciousness matters.
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Will As Blind Universal Drive
- Schopenhauer's 'Will' is a blind, eternal drive that underlies phenomena and life.
- Humans uniquely become conscious of this Will via intellect, creating suffering and reflection.
Life Is Suffering Or Boredom
- Human life alternates between two poles: suffering when desiring and boredom when desires are satisfied.
- Schopenhauer frames existence as a perpetual balancing act between these painful poles.
Eliminating Desire Produces Boredom
- Simply eliminating desire either by satiation or denial doesn't solve suffering because boredom replaces desire.
- Art and ascetic withdrawal aim to detach the intellect from the Will rather than merely filling or emptying desire.
