Book description
Philosophy for busy people. Read a succinct account of the philosophy
of Schopenhauer in just one hour.
Arthur Schopenhauer, the 'philosopher of pessimism,' makes it clear that
he regards the world and our life in it as a bad joke. However, if the
world is indifferent to our fate it doesn't thwart us deliberately - its
façade is supported by what Schopenhauer calls the universal Will. He
saw this as a force that is blind and without purpose, bringing on all
our misery and suffering. Schopenhauer taught that our only hope is to
liberate ourselves from the terrible power of the Will and from the
trappings of individualism and egoism that are at its mercy.
Here is a concise, expert account of Schopenhauer's life and
philosophical ideas - entertainingly written and easy to understand.
Also included are selections from Schopenhauer's work, suggested further
reading, and chronologies that place Schopenhauer in the context of the
broader scheme of philosophy. 'Well-written, clear and informed, they
have a breezy wit about them . . .I find them hard to stop reading' NEW
YORK TIMES
'Witty, illuminating, and blessedly concise' WALL STREET JOURNAL
'Each of these little books is witty and dramatic and creates a sense of
time, place, and character . . . I cannot think of a better way to
introduce oneself and one's friends to Western civilization' BOSTON GLOBE
'A godsend in this era of the short attention span' NEW YORK TIMES
Paul Strathern has lectured in philosophy and mathematics and now lives
and writes in London. A Somerset Maugham prize winner, he is also the
author of books on history and travel as well as five novels. His
articles have appeared in a great many publications including the
Observer (London) and the Irish Times. His own degree in philosophy was
earned at Trinity College, Dublin.
