Arsenal of Everyday Meaning

Abstract

The author of the article considers the work of Arthur Schopenhauer «Aphorisms of the Wisdom of Life» as a turning point in philosophical anthropology and ethics. Schopenhauer declared war on the rationalist tradition. He contrasted European rationalism with irrationalism, the triumph of blind faith, vital motives, and the cult of the absurd. All this has become a platform for the further development of the philosophy of life. The new philosophy turned to life as a primary reality, an integral organic process that generally precedes the separation of the world and spirit, being and consciousness.

The German philosopher tried to create a unified view of the fate of the body and soul. Life in his system of reasoning is evaluated as something that would be better not to be. Earthly existence, in his opinion, is a certain kind of blunder and accident. It can also be assessed as an episode that uselessly disturbs the peace of mind of Nothing.

At the same time, the author shows that it is impossible to unambiguously evaluate Schopenhauer's teaching as pessimistic. Rather, it should be said that the philosopher exposes optimism as a fundamentally false view of being. The attitude towards overcoming optimism is an essential feature of A. Schopenhauer's thinking.