Book description
Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have
transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have
inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened,
outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and
destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers,
pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and
helped make us who we are. Arthur Schopenhauer was born in Danzig in
1788. He went on to study medicine and science at Gottingen University
and in 1810 began to study philosophy. In 1811 he transferred to Berlin
to write his doctoral thesis, and began to write The World as Will and
Idea, a complete exploration of his philosophy, which was finished in
1818. Although the book failed to sell, his belief in his own views
sustained him through twenty-five years of frustrated desire for fame.
In 1844 brought a much expanded edition of his book, which after his
death became one of the most widely read of all philosophical works. His
fame was established in 1851 with the publication of Parerga and
Paralipomena. He died in 1860.
