Essays and aphorisms
selected and translated with an introd. by R.J. Hollingdale.
by Arthur Schopenhauer · first published 1970
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One of the greatest philosophers of the nineteenth century, Schopenhauer (1788-1860) believed that human action is determined not by reason but by 'will' - the blind and irrational desire for physical existence. This selection of his writings on religion, ethics, politics, women, suicide, books and many other themes is taken from Schopenhauer's last work, Parerga and Paralipomena, which he published in 1851. These pieces depict humanity as locked in a struggle beyond good and evil, and each individual absolutely free within a Godless world, in which art, morality and self-awareness are our onl
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…you should probably just read Schopenhauer in general. His philosophical works are very inaccessible (to those unprepared) but his essays are brilliant and casually consumable. http://www.amazon.com/Essays-and-Aphorisms-Classics-ebook/dp... FYI: He was the philosopher who influenced Nietzsche the most.
on “So You Want To Be A Writer? That’s Mistake #1” ↗There's a great essay by Schopenhauer called "On Thinking for Yourself" which deals with this and related themes. I'll post it here for your benefit (from the great Penguin translation titled "Essays and Aphorisms": On Thinking for Yourself 1-- As the biggest library if it is in disorder is not as useful as a small but well-arranged one, so you may accumulate a vast amount of knowledge but it will be of far…
on “Choose your reading carefully” ↗…for the quality of writing alone. For me, his works evoke the experience of mathematical beauty. I would recommend gaining a basic understanding of Kant, Buddhism, Hinduism, and then reading his work "Essays and Aphorisms," followed by "The World as Will and Idea." "Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes" by Jacques Ellul is the book I have read that best explains the human experience in the modern media environment.…
on “Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?” ↗Essays and aphorisms by Arthur Schopenhauer John A. MacDonald: The young politician by Donald Creighton Comedy of errors by Wm. Shakespeare Paradise Lost by John Milton
on “Ask HN: What books are you reading right now?” ↗…think everyone should ponder this, when thinking about how they think, like as if they are the one thinking at all. "Man can do what he wills but he cannot will what he wills.” ― Arthur Schopenhauer, Essays and Aphorisms
on “Brains are not required to think or solve problems – simple cells can do it” ↗