Schopenhauer, Arthur (1788–1860)

Abstract

The German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer is best known for his metaphysics, aesthetics, ethics, and the pessimism of his philosophy. Just as he had little personal concern for the politics of his day, he had relatively little concern for political philosophy. Consequently, what Schopenhauer wrote about political theory and philosophy was subordinate to and driven by his metaphysics and ethics. Yet the integration of his political philosophy within a comprehensive metaphysical‐ethical standpoint provides depth to his thought.