JOHN VESPASIAN is the author of sixteen books, including “When everything fails, try this” (2009), “Rationality is the way to happiness” (2009), “The philosophy of builders” (2010), “The 10 principles of rational living” (2012), “Rational living, rational working” (2013), “Consistency: The key to permanent stress relief” (2014), “On becoming unbreakable” (2015), “Thriving in difficult times” (2016), “Causality: Aristotle’s life and ideas” (2024), “Foresight: Schopenhauer’s life and ideas” (2024), and "Constancy: Michel de Montaigne's life and ideas" (2025).
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JOHN VESPASIAN is the author of sixteen books, including “When everything fails, try this” (2009), “Rationality is the way to happiness” (2009), “The philosophy of builders” (2010), “The 10 principles of rational living” (2012), “Rational living, rational working” (2013), “Consistency: The key to permanent stress relief” (2014), “On becoming unbreakable” (2015), “Thriving in difficult times” (2016), “Causality: Aristotle’s life and ideas” (2024), “Foresight: Schopenhauer’s life and ideas” (2024), and "Constancy: Michel de Montaigne's life and ideas" (2025).
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s views on the role of reason
John Vespasian
9 minutes
6 days ago
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s views on the role of reason
The views of Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) on the role of reason differ from those of prior philosophers. On the one hand, Schopenhauer is more realistic. He does hold reason in high regard, but acknowledges the strong influence of impulses in human decisions. On the other hand, Schopenhauer observes that it takes substantial effort to use reason assiduously. The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus (341-271 BC) had in part anticipated Schopenhauer’s views on the role of reason. He favoured the search of pleasure as the key to happiness, but he acknowledged that the thoughtless search for pleasure can lead to pain. Schopenhauer conveyed this warning in “Two fundamental problems in ethics,” a book he published in 1843. He regarded the avoidance of suffering as the first step to happiness; reason plays a crucial role in this process because it’s the only means to assess risks and costs. Epicurus had distinguished between kinetic pleasure (which is the result of satisfying desires) and tranquillity, which he had defined as the absence of pain. Like Schopenhauer, he viewed tranquillity as a top priority. Peace of mind requires the use of reason, but according to Schopenhauer, one must grow self-aware before using reason consistently; for Schopenhauer, self-awareness is a prerequisite to exercising the power of reason. In his book “The world as will and representation” (1818), Schopenhauer theorised that the will (“life force”) prompts all living entities to secure their survival and reproduction, and to seek pleasure without thinking of risks, costs or consequences. Reason can help you adopt countermeasures against the will but you must first grow aware of the will. Schopenhauer gives “self-awareness” a specific meaning. He refers to awareness of the will, its influence, and its dire consequences. Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/analysis-of-schopenhauers-views-on-the-role-of-reason/
John Vespasian
JOHN VESPASIAN is the author of sixteen books, including “When everything fails, try this” (2009), “Rationality is the way to happiness” (2009), “The philosophy of builders” (2010), “The 10 principles of rational living” (2012), “Rational living, rational working” (2013), “Consistency: The key to permanent stress relief” (2014), “On becoming unbreakable” (2015), “Thriving in difficult times” (2016), “Causality: Aristotle’s life and ideas” (2024), “Foresight: Schopenhauer’s life and ideas” (2024), and "Constancy: Michel de Montaigne's life and ideas" (2025).
