Overview

Arthur Schopenhauer made the momentous decision to become a philosopher when he was approximately 22 years old. Prior to that decision, he had been studying medicine at the university in Goettingen. By that age, however, he had concluded that life was a troublesome affair. So he resolved to spend his life reflecting upon it. Schopenhauer was doggedly determined to persevere in what he considered his mission in life, to reflect on the ever-disquieting puzzle of existence, to ascertain the meaning of living in a world steeped in suffering and death. He was confident that eventually his work would be recognized, a confidence that enabled him to weather laboring in relative philosophical obscurity for some forty years. What initiated the dawn of Schopenhauer's fame was a review of his philosophy that appeared in a British journal in 1853, and ever since that time, Schopenhauer drew a readership, one broader than most Western philosophers. He is read not simply and solely by professional philosophers, but also by the wider learned world. Indeed, some have claimed that he is the most widely read Western philosopher. This second edition of Historical Dictionary of Schopenhauer's Philosophy contains a chronology, an introduction, an appendix, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 300 cross-referenced entries on all of Schopenhauer's books, significant philosophical ideas and concepts, as well as entries covering significant figures in his life and those influenced by this thinking.. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Arthur Schopenhauer.

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9781442267947

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This exploration of Schopenhauer's life and work includes excellent ancillary materials...The primary change is that the second edition provides dozens of new cross-referenced dictionary entries. For students and scholars who work in English with interests in Schopenhauer's original texts, a clear benefit of the volume lies in the German vocabulary provided alongside entries referencing specific ideas or titles. Another helpful feature is the use of boldface type within entries to indicate when specific words appear as entries themselves. The dictionary offers as complete a sketch of Schopenhauer as one could reasonably expect, neither shying away from issues such as his misogyny nor ignoring the importance of his pet poodles. American Reference Books Annual

Author Information

David E. Cartwright is a professor in the department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and he is the Director of the North American Division of the Schopenhauer Society.

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