An Introduction to Schopenhauer’s The Wisdom of Life

By T. Bailey Saunders
Read by David Rintoul
42 minutes

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) was a key influence on a wide range of major 19th and 20th century figures who followed him including Nietzsche, Schrödinger, Freud, Tolstoy, Wagner, Einstein, Thomas Mann, Jorge Luis Borges and Samuel Beckett. This was despite his reputation for being gloomy and pessimistic! Why? Here, T. Bailey Saunders, a pioneer translator, presents a useful, concise introduction to Schopenhauer, originally written as a ‘Translator’s Preface’ to ‘The Wisdom of Life’. He discusses the philosopher’s key views on ethics and the driving force of man ‘Will’ as expressed in his early major work, The World as Will and Representation; he notes Schopenhauer’s interest in Eastern religions (particularly Buddhism) and his approach to matters such as happiness, pain, renunciation, but also everyday pleasures including moderate possessions and intellectual riches. This short recording is offered free of charge as a helpful starting point and an overview to this important thinker.