Description
Book SynopsisIn his quest to solve 'the ever-disquieting riddle of existence', Schopenhauer explored almost every dimension of human existence, developing a darkly compelling worldview that found deep resonance in contemporary literature, music, philosophy, and psychology. This is the first comprehensive biography of Schopenhauer written in English. Placing him in his historical and philosophical contexts, David E. Cartwright tells the story of Schopenhauer's life to convey the full range of his philosophy. He offers a fully documented portrait in which he explores Schopenhauer's fractured family life, his early formative influences, his critical loyalty to Kant, his personal interactions with Fichte and Goethe, his ambivalent relationship with Schelling, his contempt for Hegel, his struggle to make his philosophy known, and his reaction to his late-arriving fame.
Trade Review'Dozens more biographies have appeared … but David Cartwright's is the most thorough by far.' The Times Literary Supplement
'Cartwright does not shy away from presenting Schopenhauer's flaws as well as his good points … Perhaps the most attractive features of Schopenhauer are his passion for the truth, his hatred of obscurantism, and the grace, humor, and clarity of his writing. Cartwright's biography honors its subject by sharing in all these virtues.' Journal of the History of Philosophy
Table of Contents1. The affirmation of the will; 2. A tour for a trade; 3. A father's death, a philosopher's birth; 4. The university years; 5. The better consciousness, causes, grounds, and confrontations; 6. Goethe, colors, and eastern lights; 7. The single thought of Dresden; 8. Failure in Berlin; 9. Ich bin kein Berliner; 10. The Frankfurt philosopher; 11. The dawn of fame and the end of life.
