The riddle of the world : a reconsideration of Schopenhauer's philosophy / Barbara Hannan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hannan, Barbara, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Schopenhauer, Arthur, 1788-1860.

Schopenhauer, Arthur.

Philosophy--History--19th century.

Philosophy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xvi, 160 pages)

Other Title:

Reconsideration of Schopenhauer's philosophy

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book is an introduction to the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer. The peculiar inconsistencies and tensions in Schopenhauer's thought are emphasized. A main theme of the book is that Schopenhauer was torn between realism and anti-realism, and between denial and affirmation of the individual will. A useful summary of Schopenhauer's main ideas is provided. In addition, the book connects Schopenhauer's thought with ongoing debates in philosophy. The book argues that Schopenhauer was struggling half-consciously to break altogether with Kant and transcendental idealism and that the anti-Kantian features of Schopenhauer's thought possess the most lasting value. Schopenhauer's panpsychist metaphysics of will is defended, and compared favorably with contemporary views according to which causal power is metaphysically basic. Schopenhauer's ethics of compassion is also defended against Kant's ethics of pure reason. Friendly amendments are offered to Schopenhauer's theories of art, music, and “salvation.” The book illuminates the deep connection between Schopenhauer and the early Wittgenstein, as well as Schopenhauer's influence on existentialism and psychoanalytic thought.

Contents:

CONTENTS; ONE: A Sketch of Schopenhauer's Central Ideas; A Neglected Genius; The Fourfold Root; Transcendental Idealism and the Metaphysics of Will; Freedom, Determinism, and the Will; The Basis of Ethics: Reason versus Compassion; TWO: Three Major Themes of Schopenhauer's Philosophy: Transcendental Idealism, Panpsychism, and Determinism; Kant's Epistemology; Schopenhauer's Version of Idealism and His Evaluation of Kant; Why I Am Not an Idealist; A Suggestion; Schopenhauer's Panpsychism and Its Philosophical Ancestry; Objections to Panpsychism Considered; Causal Power as Metaphysically Basic

Determinism and ResponsibilityQuantum Mechanics; THREE: Schopenhauer's Anti-Kantian Account of Morality; Kantian Ethics: Its Appeal and Its Puzzling Aspects; Schopenhauer Reads Kant's Ethics; Compassion as the Basis of Ethics; Evaluative Remarks; Wittgenstein's Ethical View and Its Schopenhauerian Roots; FOUR: Schopenhauer's Aesthetics: The Meaning of Art and Music; Schopenhauer's Aesthetic Theory in General; Schopenhauer's Theory of Music in Particular; The Character of Genius; Summary of My Suggestions; FIVE: Pessimism, Depression, and Salvation; Pessimism as a Philosophical Orientation

Optimism and Pessimism as Personality TraitsThe Danger of the Attribution Fallacy; Depression and the Psychological Roots of Pessimism; Salvation as Recovery from Depression; Schopenhauer on the ""Acquired Character""; Salvation as Denial of the Will; Now That My Ladder's Gone.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 145-149) and index.

ISBN:

0-19-045222-6

0-19-986958-8

1-281-98717-4

9786611987176

0-19-970257-8

OCLC:

437109344