Journal of European Studies, March 1st, 1996
Alexander Herzen and Arthur Schopenhauer are considered precursors of modern pessimism. However, Herzen refused to be categorized as a pessimist although he forwarded the philosophy of despair, hopelessness and disbelief. For Herzen, adverse consequences can be better understood and accepted when unreal expectations are renounced. This differs from the schopenhauerian philosophy, which assumes that nature has its own logic which human reason cannot overcome.
If I can't cheerfully describe myself as an optimist, I must insist that I'm an anti-pessimist of the utmost vehemence - ferociously ant...
HighBeam Research, Free Preview: 'Herzen versus Schopenhauer: an answer to pessimism. (philosophers Alexander Herzen and Arthur Schopenhauer)'... Full Membership required for unlimited access. Free 7-day trial.
Subscribers: HighBeam content is only available to HighBeam subscribers. Click the link above for more information.
