The Wisdom of Life. By Arthur Schopenhauer. Audiobook
"The Wisdom of Life" is a philosophical essay by Arthur Schopenhauer, which explores the nature of human happiness and tries to understand how one should order their life so as to obtain the greatest possible amount of pleasure and success. Schopenhauer defines the happy existence as one “which, looked at from a purely objective point of view, or, rather, after cool and mature reflection - for the question necessarily involves subjective considerations - would be decidedly preferable to non-existence”. He argues that happiness is a temporary state which doesn’t make you want to kill yourself.
Schopenhauer believes that the key to happiness is to minimize pain and maximize pleasure, and that happiness comes from within rather than external factors. He also emphasizes the importance of individual strength of will and independent, reasoned deliberation over the tendency to act on irrational impulses.
The essay is divided into four chapters. In the first chapter, Schopenhauer discusses the nature of happiness and how it can be achieved. He argues that happiness is not a matter of chance, but rather a result of our own actions. In the second chapter, he discusses the role of reason in achieving happiness. He argues that reason is essential for achieving happiness, but that it must be tempered by experience and intuition.
In the third chapter, Schopenhauer discusses the importance of individuality and the dangers of conformity. He argues that individuality is essential for happiness, and that conformity can lead to a loss of identity and a sense of purposelessness. In the final chapter, he discusses the importance of art and aesthetics in achieving happiness. He argues that art is essential for happiness because it allows us to transcend the limitations of our individual existence and connect with something greater than ourselves.
Overall, "The Wisdom of Life" is a thought-provoking essay that challenges readers to think deeply about the nature of happiness and the role that reason, individuality, and art play in achieving it. Schopenhauer's ideas are still relevant today, and his insights into the human condition continue to inspire readers around the world..
More: Arthur Schopenhauer, The Wisdom of Life, eudemonology
science of happiness, art of ordering our lives, pleasure
success, human behavior, Parerga and Paralipomena
detailed description, ideal and real, history of philosophy
philosophy and its method, antithesis of thing-in-itself and phenomenon, pantheism
ethics, doctrine of the indestructibility of our true nature by death, suicide
will-to-live
00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:19 Chapter 1. Division Of The Subject
00:22:09 Chapter 2. Personality, Or What A Man Is
01:14:38 Chapter 3. Property, Or What A Man Has
01:30:33 Chapter 4. Position, Or A Man’s Place In The Estimation Of Others