On the Study of Philosophy

Arthur Schopenhauer

The Complete Works of Schopenhauer 20권 · Continental Press

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"Schopenhauer is the last great Western philosopher who could still think metaphysically." Heidegger Arthur Schopenhauer's "On the Study of Philosophy," published in 1820, represents a pivotal text in his philosophical corpus that critiques contemporary approaches to philosophical education and understanding. In this essay, Schopenhauer argues against the prevailing academic philosophical methods of his time, which he saw as overly systematic, abstract, and disconnected from genuine philosophical inquiry. He believed that many academic philosophers were more interested in constructing elaborate philosophical systems than in pursuing profound philosophical understanding, criticizing what he perceived as a tendency to create complex intellectual frameworks that obscured rather than illuminated fundamental philosophical truths. The essay emphasizes Schopenhauer's conviction that true philosophical study requires a direct, intuitive approach that transcends mere academic formalism. He advocates for philosophy as a deeply personal and transformative intellectual pursuit, one that should illuminate the fundamental nature of human existence and provide genuine insights into the human condition. Unlike his contemporaries who viewed philosophy as an abstract intellectual exercise, Schopenhauer saw it as a means of comprehending the underlying metaphysical realities of life, with a particular focus on understanding human will, suffering, and consciousness. His perspective challenged the dominant Hegelian philosophical traditions of his era, proposing instead a more introspective and phenomenological approach to philosophical investigation. Schopenhauer's text also serves as a passionate defense of philosophical thinking as a critical human endeavor, distinct from scientific or purely rational modes of understanding. He argues that philosophy should not be reduced to a mere academic discipline but should function as a profound method of comprehending human experience in its most fundamental dimensions. By emphasizing the importance of individual philosophical reflection and critiquing institutional approaches to philosophical education, Schopenhauer laid groundwork for existentialist and phenomenological traditions that would emerge in later philosophical movements. This modern translation from the original German manuscript breathes new life into Schopenhauer's historically important manuscript. Schopenhauer, generally speaking, has been accessible only to academics and serious lay philosophers, yet his philosophy is critically important to understanding the more famous philosophers of the 20th century, most notably Nietzsche. This new Reader's Edition introduces Schopenhauer's original work in context, with an illuminating Afterword explaining his philosophic project, the historical mileau he exists within, and his impact on the modern world. This is accompanied by a timeline of his life and works, an index of philosophic terminology he uses, and a short biography.