Book 3: Chapter 24, Schopenhauer Summary and Analysis

Schopenhauer (1788-1860) was a pessimistic philosopher. His philosophy was derived from the philosophy of Kant, Plato, and the Upanishads. He adhered to the religions of India, such as Hinduism and Buddhism while rejecting Christianity. His affinity with the Hellenism was less extensive, while valuing peace and quietism regarding changes or reforms pointless.

Born in Danzing, he grew up in a family that engaged in commerce. His father admired England for liberty and intelligence, was Voltairian, and despised Prussians for annexing Danzig in about 1793. Subsequently he moved to Hamburg, where the family lived 1793 to 1797. He spent two years in Paris, where he studied and learnt French extensively, while in 1803 he was in a boarding school in England. He became a clerk in Hamburg in a commercial house, but was more interested in philosophy, studied science in Berlin, taught...