Contemporary Perspectives of Schopenhauer’s Philosophy

Dear Colleagues,

Nature and the arts are not only central parts of Schopenhauer’s main work Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung, but are undoubtably of the utmost importance for his whole thinking. From a systematic perspective, Schopenhauer dedicated his philosophical practice to each discipline: while the arts are discussed (mainly) in relation to aesthetics, nature is discussed in the contexts of metaphysics (in a narrow sense) and of course science. However, according to his methodological conception of a “single thought”, these disciplines as well as ethics and epistemology are only one thought considered from different sides. In the case of aesthetics and metaphysics, the coincidence is expressed in the concept of the Idea, which applies to natural forces as well as to the object of aesthetic contemplation. The high influence the arts and nature had on his system is rooted in his cultural and scientific education, which he continued to develop throughout his life. Schopenhauer quotes fiction and refers to sculptures, pictures, and symphonies for his argumentation with the same analytical assuredness he demonstrates when citing other philosophical works. As for science, Schopenhauer was deeply involved with the scientific research of his time, even completing a book that demonstrated the compatibility of his philosophy with scientific results. In this Special Issue we will focus on the role of science and art in Schopenhauer’s philosophy. Therefore, we will focus on three main approaches:

1. The systematic analysis of both fields within the context of his philosophical work;
2. The historical analysis of the influence the arts and sciences had on Schopenhauer’s thinking;
3. The reception of Schopenhauer’s work by later writers, artists, musicians, and scientists.

Prof. Dr. Matthias Koßler
Dr. Erik Eschmann
Guest Editors

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• art
• literature
• music
• nature
• science
• idea
• aesthetics
• epistemology
• metaphysics