PESSIMISM AT SCHOPENHAUER’S A PRAGMATIC LOOK ALLISON PARKER pessimism to makeitapplicable to our personal lives. might show the reader more what we canget out of Schopenhauer’s sympathy for others. Alook James’ at William method pragmatic perhaps there ismore Schopenhauer’s from to gain pessimism than all, and therefore withthose sympathize who do us wrong. However, another’srecognize become of has that us the vice being fall apart as we that by stating are fellow sufferers inthis world and that we can for sinisagoodmodel, although anunpleasant one, and ends hisessay with human suffering, identifying the that idea Christian of atonement Schopenhauer then lays out how different religions and traditions deal greatest just sufferings as they are the sourcepleasures. of humanity’s mental life—are of humanity’s the source ofthe humanity’s majority desires—everything flows that frommakes the and imagination up Schopenhauer shows expectations, how hopes, humanity’s fears, and rule” bywhichrule” we live our lives. lives “misfortune that are fullof ingeneral suffering. He writes isthe theof the“On Sufferings World” by pointing out to the reader that our Schopenhauer, “On theSufferings,”2. 2 ArthurSchopenhauer, “On theSufferingsofWorld,” inTheEssaysof 1 1906 and at Colombia University in New York in1907, James William present the spectacle of unbridled folly—nay, they would gomad.” swollen though that, they witharrogance might not burst, they would were relieved of allneed, and hardship they adversity… would beso does, suffering however,have “ifthe lives its uses. He writes, of men human painand suffering outweigh pleasure and joy. He identifiesthat good, but apositive force initsown Schopenhauer right. states that force instead of the as negative. Suffering or evil is not the absence of ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION I. JAMES’ PRAGMATISM (Blackmask Online, 2004),2. Arthur Schopenhauer:StudiesinPessimism , trans.T. BaileySaunders provides means to reduce suffering. a model for how we are to live our lives inasuffering world, a model that method to find practical implications Schopenhauer’sof pessimism. I provide and we are doomed to suffer? Inthispaper, IWilliam James’use pragmatic readers.to are What many we to do withour lives ifSchopenhauer isright, temporary alleviation of suffering. trueEven so, rings hisaccount of suffering aboutpages how isthe andhappiness suffering any norm, we feel is merely a Schopenhauer’s pessimistic philosophy isadepressing many read. He writes Schopenhauer introduces hispessimistic philosophy inthe article In aseries of lectures given at the Lowell Institute inBoston in 1 He defines as the suffering positive 2

107 Schopenhauer’s Pessimism 108 Stance Volume 12 / April 2019 are to live ifwe are to adopt Schopenhauer’s account of suffering. a world. paper This willattempt more of the latter—showing how we world rather ismaintained to give than us aplanon how to live insuch in thisessay isto show isthe suffering that generalrule bywhich the our lives and treat each other. However, Schopenhauer’s concern main but he hisview that implications recognizes has on how we should live only does Schopenhauer give us anargument for hismetaphysical view, keeps us steady and sane. opening he states “misfortune paragraph, itsuses” that it inthat has Schopenhauer, “On theSufferings,”9. 6 James, Pragmatism,2. 5 James, Pragmatism,2. 4 James,Pragmatism:ANewNameforSomeOldWays William ofThinking 3 no purpose at alland the result of mere chance.” itisabsurdthat to view allof the inthe suffering world serving “as notion itsrespective bytracing practical consequences.” defined the method pragmatic as a way inwhich “to try to interpret each pessimism we that lives. withinour are daily faced philosophy, since isthe suffering most concrete and evidentaspect of his ratheron suffering afullaccount than Schopenhauer’sof pessimistic wethat canimplement lives. inour paper daily This willfocus mostly remedy some of the problems of our world through practical measures metaphysical view for has our lives and then attempt to seehow we can with thispainfulworld. We must understand the implications this misfortune, Schopenhauer as argues, then we must find ways of dealing theof “On Sufferings World.” Ifthe world isfull of suffering and pessimistic philosophy of Schopenhauer chiefly expressed inhis essay, paperThis willattempt to use James’ method pragmatic to view the thefrom world comes our from experience, not we what read inbooks. the preface of these lectures, James most that asserts of we what learn are the most practical or which ones are the most useful for people. In method isaway to view philosophical theories inlight of which theories should have “tolerance, patience, regard,and love of neighbor.” inlightthat, of hisdiscussion about theof the sufferings world, we world. Schopenhauer ends hisessay inacallto action, telling hisreader human responsibility isauseful way the of picturing suffering of the in the world being the of fault human nature and under thus falling out of anyreverence but to God, because the understanding of suffering atonement for sin, not out of anyresponsibility toward the religion or WORLD” II. “ON THE SUFFERINGS OF THE (New York: Longmans,Green, andCo.,1921),45. Schopenhauer opens theof the “On Sufferings World” by noting 5 Schopenhauer uses model the Christian of 4 Shortly after Shortly that 3 The pragmatic The pragmatic 6 Not Not things wethings cando to adjust our views and actions to reduce suffering. do not always know why. Understanding why willshed light on small amount of suffering we and others endure. We know we suffer, but we conscious about them and makedecisions attempt that to reduce the thecan recognize cause of of ourwe canbe many sufferings, more Schopenhauer isthe suffering that mightbutnorm, beright if we following sections amount the to recognizing ways inwhich we suffer. them to the lives of others. The suggestions offered at the end of the others byviewing our own lives on their own, without comparing can reduce the paincaused byour thoughts about the opinions of have the power, for insome to exchange cases, another. one type We by differentiatingthat of suffering andtypes realizing we various We canjustify introducing new humans into the world of suffering a fundamental difference between and the animals Will. humans: amodelas for how we could reduce suffering, even though there is can interpret each way. inapragmatic We canuse the lives of animals in thispaper which explains hisviews and attempts to show how we Schopenhauer concentrates on, each of these topics willget asection think about us—plays inour Since suffering. these are the topics that to suffer, and the role that reputation—or what we think other people or not itisjustifiable life into to a bring world inwhich itis doomed their lives relate to human lives, the issue of procreation and whether impliacations of hiswork. He addresses the lives and of how animals each of which must bedealt withifwe are to understand the practical or hopes to away take pleasures the from small of life? Ifwe were to aresult.painful as memories when theirmaking they are suffering suffering, even more are unable to hope intimes of trouble and unable to hold onto pleasant also acknowledges pay for animals aprice that thispeaceof mind. They being disappointed itdid that not match their expectations. However, he allowed and pleased to besurprised byevery pleasant moment instead of since they do not hope toward something better inthe future. They are expectations. do not Animals suffer this experience of disappointment we enjoy itless when itcomes along because itoften falls short of our He states when that we hope for something and look forward to it, envy to enjoy of animals the the ability present moment undisturbed. phenomenon to disturb their peaceof mind. Schopenhauer seems to moment, being able to enjoy life without fears, regrets, or other mental pleasure acontrast as to human experience. live Animals inthe present III. ANIMAL LIFE AS A MODEL Schopenhauer addresses various topics inthe realm of suffering, Should we attempt to be more not like animals, allowing our fears Schopenhauer offers the way experience animals suffering and 109 Schopenhauer’s Pessimism 10 11 Stance Volume 12 / April 2019 Schopenhauer, “On theSufferings,”3. 8 ArthurSchopenhauer, “The Vanity ofExistence,”inTheEssays 7 of existence?” much sympathy withthe coming generation to spare as itthe burden suffered—or,Schopenhaueras puts it,“would ratherman nothave a so to bearchildrenit right into such aworld for them to sufferas havewe degree. Perhaps thisisamore applicable question to our own lives: is of us do have to continue the ability the insome human race small now—these questions are still to consider important because most although there are some who have might, infact, such apower essay. Even ifwe do not have ared button to push to end the world— Thesehardship? are questions Schopenhauer that up inhis brings Would we bebetter off such to annihilate a world full of painand isthe“Will lord of allworlds.” present moment do: the Schopenhauer animals Will. as that writes different which is relevant to enjoy (or the inability) to our ability little more, which issome progress. small forget our fears and regrets, we might beable to enjoy those moments a implication. At least inour pleasant moments, ifwe canattempt to to keep alittle bit of the best of both worlds isapossible This practical anything—but also able to hope intimes of trouble, we might beable present moment like do—not animals expecting or anything fearing give us strength and However, courage. ifwe were able to enjoy the moments of with suffering hopes and pleasant memories might that pleasure enjoy. animals that We would also beunable to combat our our sense of purpose, which isahigher pleasure the than physical uptake such amethod of some thinking, might say we would lose feel alittle less alone and alittle more understanding of others. thought That withus. other should quality that humans share makeus we that is recognize are not the only broken of All fragments Will. dooms them to ahopeless life we What of frustration. cando, though, of themselves individuals as withindividual which wills, automatically cannotHumans view life cats as and do dogs because they are aware withoutreality ever being able to achieve itbecause itisnot whole. for constantlyWill, striving endless, that timeless, completely free then, anindividual has will,but itisabroken of fragment the real themselves individuals as withindependent Each wills. human, but individuals that it,breakinga unity itup, fragment byviewing know they willsuffer, but thiscouldnature, bedue to our faulty own IV. PROCREATION (Blackmask Online, 2004),10. Arthur Schopenhauer:StudiesinPessimism , trans.T. BaileySaunders If life isdetermined isitbetter bysuffering, to If not exist at all? There isafundamental way inwhich are humans and animals 8 We do continue to bearchildren even though we 7 By this he means that Will is in reality Bythishe means isinreality Will that go straight.” for every at alltimes. Ashipwithout man is unstable ballast and willnot amountHe states “acertain that of care or painor trouble isnecessary which goal. isthe true those also removes things of our life possibility without suffering, of people who are should already suffering not be done because doing people into being from born asuffering world or ending the existence The practical implication of thisdiscussion preventing isthat new is unreachable and acomplete end to existence isthe only remedy. least tryalittle longer, although itmight our that goal beapossibility find other ways to alleviatethat is if suffering, our goal. We must at Removing or preventing life does not solve the problem. We must achieve “no at all,” suffering butrather “no inpeople’s suffering lives.” pain—is itself more valuable nonexistence. than The goalisnot to without painor suffering—or one at least with more pleasure than I hesitate to positively, admitthat but the of anexistence possibility all isbetter anexistence than filled withpainand although suffering, to remove the people who suffer. that Itmightno betrue existence at people already. suffering step toward goal,ifthose that children willonly add to the amount of if suffering we can, itseems like refusinghave to children would be one continually denies us such pleasures. Ifwe makeitour goalto alleviate actions which afford us agreat sense of physical pleasure ina world that unable to rationalize the consequences of our actions, especially those Schopenhauer, “On theSufferings,”2. 9 to keep us busy. We canchoose to makeprogress even though we will where we willnot have at all, anysuffering so we willalwayshave plenty for ahigher cause. IfSchopenhauer we isright, willnever reach apoint also comfort take we that inthe fact are actively choosing init to engage purpose, even ifitisjust to alleviate another form of suffering. We can this way, we canata least has comfort take our that inthe suffering fact We can choose to work to kinds end and of In struggle suffering. certain thus exchanging one form of (labor) suffering for another (starvation). time: they choose to toil and work to avoid the suffering of starvation, for the kind will of that suffering help us the most. People do thisallthe of are suffering helpful, and perhapstypes we can choose. We canbarter allow itand stop to relieve trying ourselves it.However, from not all have seen is otherwise. Ifsuffering helpful, though, perhaps we should made them suffering strong, opening their eyes they to things would not of people who were only able to accomplish great feats because their the than suffering we are currently subject to.There are countless stories would find ways to ourselves,entertain which might be more devastating and help us to grow. Ifwe did not have to suffering keep us occupied, we However, Schopenhauer as there describes, isapurpose for suffering. However, to removefrom the suffering world is not thesameas 9 Suffering and Suffering pain keep us in check.They teach us lessons 111 Schopenhauer’s Pessimism 112 Stance Volume 12 / April 2019 because to alleviate suffering, we must help our neighbors to see new to live—not simply because impressing others gives us pleasure, but to use reputation atool as to provide others withanexample of how reputation isthe source of much of our suffering, but we can attempt us and works toward their that easing painand Itistrue suffering. but itmustharmful, beconsidered inaway best that helps those around lives, then those actions do have value. Reputation itself isnot bador provide anexample for hisneighbors to live byto better their own others, no initself that real has value. Ifone’s actions help others and those around Ifone’s us. actions give himpleasure because they impress byhow worth worth.actual isgauged That they benefit ourselves and how our movements and actions are perceived, we must consider their “the perceived value of the object.” Instead of being concerned with value of the object.” inrespect(or rules)… to hismovements…that they have regard to the Meditations, wrote Epictetus that must said “man that discover anart to Marcus Aurelius to provide asolution. Marcus Aurelius, inhis way better that the serves opinion-holder well as the as subject. Iturn one’schanging actions on based the opinion of others inahealthy growing, being from able to accept constructive or from criticism, A complete disregard of the opinions of others prevents people from opinion concerns oneself. However, thissolution canhave downfalls. of, or belief the false one that isdisliked or disapproved of. one isunable to shake the disturbance of being disliked or disapproved otherwhat people thinkof oneself isalso agreat cause of depression if vices of concern anexaggerated for one’s reputation. about Anxiety oftentaken to the extreme, where and pretentiousness vanity are the think illof However, us. thisconcern for other people’s opinions is to desire to please people, make them happy, and beconcerned ifthey concern for reputation and anunhealthy one. Itisperhaps admirable people thinkof Most us. people differentiate between a healthy and constitutes of our we anxiety: quantity worry alarge about what takes up agooddeal of our thoughts, directs and controls our actions, Marcus Aurelius, Meditations(Mineola,NewYork: DoverPublications, 11 Schopenhauer, “OntheSufferings,”4. 10 opinion other people have of him.” feeling of honor and inplain words, shame; he what thinksabout the contributes greatly to human pleasure and pain:“ambition and the suffering. from suffer the whole way and even though we will never freedomreach total V. REPUTATION 1997), 11;137. One solution could beto disregard the opinion of others when that Schopenhauer discusses one for of factor our ability reflection that 11 The “value of the object” here iscontrasted with 10 Our concern Our for our reputation James, Pragmatism,45. 12 one’s movements toward value. increasing actual that to theby shifting gaze one’s actual value of one’s actions and directing the lives of others. Both ofhowever, these sufferings, canbe remedied in saying we suffer when we spend too much time on our opinions of we consider the opinions of others too much. He would also beright to improve life. that Schopenhauer to say we that isright suffer when to thecomparison lives ithas of others, and then deciding on methods consider hisown life on itsown, deciding itsvalue independent of the one’scomparing misfortune to the fortune of others, one must an object. Inorder to avoid the feeling one of feels inequality when Marcus Aurelius’ use of Epictetus’ statement about value the true of suffer more because oneAgain, of the comparison. must consider less he than does, he willfeel indignation of at life the and inequality one’s own lot to the lot of others. Ifone sees hisneighbor that suffers around them. ways to live their lives reduce that suffering for themselves and those consequences.” to interpretby “try[ing] each notion itsrespective bytracing practical his various points and considering the practical implications of them, model for how we are to live our lives inasuffering world byanalyzing much suffering. However, we canadd to this statement and develop a the least amount of suffering for those who are already experiencing so his reader withothers to sympathize and actinaway produces that Schopenhauer not has already thought of, for he ends hisessay telling alleviate the suffering we all endure. Iam not doing anything here that concepts of precepts interms for our behavior—we canattempt to By reading Schopenhauer’s essay way—viewing inapragmatic his how we willcontinue insuch living aworld where painisthe norm. isthe suffering that positive force of life, we must thenask ourselves otherssee that sufferas well. For thoseagreeSchopenhauer who with cannot deny howWe much we suffer in our lives, and we cannotfail to truth fortruth the purpose of our living lives inthe best way possible. understand. Philosophy can, and should, beunderstood asearch as for universe others that not trained inphilosophical discourse cannot of professors on who profound thinkand write questions about the CONCLUSION Another great source of discontent isthe tendency to compare Schopenhauer makes astrong for case hispessimistic philosophy. 12 Philosophy need not belimitedto aselect group 113 Schopenhauer’s Pessimism 114 Stance Volume 12 / April 2019 the University of Memphis. pursue anMFA fiction inwriting at she she graduates, intendsAfter to Red Mudliterary magazine, Review. editor of Austin Peay’s student-run linguistics. She iscurrently the in Spanish, creative and writing, in May 2019. She isminoring at Austin Peay University State BA inphilosophy and English Allison Parker willcomplete her ABOUT THEAUTHOR: 115 Schopenhauer’s Pessimism