Chapter 1
The world as representation and will
Chapter 2
The pendulum of desire and pain
Chapter 3
Eastern wisdom meets Western thought
Chapter 4
The art of being happy
YOUR GOAL
Master of The philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer
Ch 2 · The pendulum of desire and pain
schopenhauer Schopenhauer's Pendulum of Desire
We're trapped in wanting— (oh yeah!) / then bored of having it— (uh-huh!)
schopenhauer Looking at beautiful art or listening to music pauses our desires, giving us a brief, peaceful break from the Will.
schopenhauer Boredom is not just a minor annoyance, but a painful reminder of the emptiness of existence when we lack active desires.
BETA
schopenhauer Balance Arthur's extreme mood swings to learn his philosophical rules for finding peace of mind.
Fun Fact
Wagner's inspiration: Composer Richard Wagner was so inspired by Schopenhauer's view of music that he sent him a copy of his opera ring cycle.
Glossary
boredom (noun)
The state of feeling weary and restless because one is unoccupied or lacks interest. Arthur Schopenhauer's 1818 treatise posits that human life endlessly oscillates between this state and painful striving.
The state of feeling weary and restless because one is unoccupied or lacks interest. Arthur Schopenhauer's 1818 treatise posits that human life endlessly oscillates between this state and painful striving.
Quiz
What did Schopenhauer call the brief state of peace we feel when we lose ourselves in art?
Quiz
Which famous German opera composer was deeply influenced by Schopenhauer's philosophy of music?
Quiz
Which art form did Arthur Schopenhauer rank as the highest because it directly expresses the inner 'Will'?
Quiz
What two states did Arthur Schopenhauer say human life constantly swings between like a pendulum?
Quiz
According to Schopenhauer, what happens immediately after we satisfy a long-held desire?
Quiz
In Schopenhauer's view, why is lasting happiness impossible to achieve through buying physical things?