The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer; Religion, a Dialogue, Etc.
by Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860)
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- 2 hours to read
- 7 chapters
- Reading level: College-level
"The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer; Religion, a Dialogue, Etc." by Schopenhauer is a philosophical collection of essays likely written in the early 19th century. This volume explores various topics, including religion, pantheism, and the philosophy of reading, showcasing Schopenhauer's significant insights into the human condition, morality, and the metaphysical fabric of society. At the start of the book, a prefatory note introduces Schopenhauer as a philosopher notable for his clarity and his appeal to everyday experiences. In the dialogue "Religion," characters Demopheles and Philalethes engage in a debate about the nature and function of religion in society. Demopheles defends religion as a vital tool for uplifting the masses and providing moral guidance, while Philalethes critiques it as a veneer over reality that stifles genuine philosophical inquiry and perpetuates ignorance. Their discourse highlights the tension between faith and empirical understanding, with Philalethes arguing for a pursuit of truth independent of religious dogma, ultimately suggesting that the tendency of religion to veil the truth is detrimental to societal progress. This opening sets the stage for Schopenhauer's broader reflections on the complexities of human beliefs and the nature of existence.
Read the opening
Prefatory Note
Schopenhauer is one of the few philosophers who can be generally understood without a commentary. All his theories claim to be drawn direct from the facts, to be suggested by observation, and to interpret the world as it is; and whatever view he takes, he is constant in his appeal to the experience of common life. This characteristic endows his style with a freshness and vigor which would be difficult to match in the philosophical writing of any country, and impossible in that of Germany. If it were asked whether there were any circumstances apart from heredity, to which he owed his mental habit, the answer might be found in the abnormal character of his early education, his acquaintance with the world rather than with books, the extensive travels of his boyhood, his ardent pursuit of knowledge for its own sake and without regard to the emoluments and endowments of learning. He was trained in realities even more than in ideas; and hence he is original, forcible, clear, an enemy of all philosophic indefiniteness and obscurity; so that it may well be said of him, in the words of a writer in the Revue Contemporaine, ce n'est pas un philosophe comme les autres, c'est un philosophe qui a vu le monde.
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About this edition
This free edition of The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer; Religion, a Dialogue, Etc. by Arthur Schopenhauer comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #10833, released 2004-01-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Essays, Letters & Speeches, Philosophy & Ethics, Religion/Spirituality.
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