Comparing Nietzsche and Schopenhauers Attitudes Towards Life Essay

Comparing Nietzsche and Schopenhauers Attitudes Towards LifeABSTRACT On the basis of his metaphysics, Schopenhauer was conduct to advocate quietism and composure as attitudes toward life. In the course of his move, Nietzsche reversed his tenderness of Schopenhauer from initial agreement to final excoriation. In what follows, I examine and measure the grounds on which Nietzsche revised his opinion of Schopenhauer as educator of humanity. I argue that three fundamental issues divide Nietzsche and Schopenhauer. The first concerns the eliminability of human unworthy. The molybdenum regards the hold dear of sympathy to those who feel rather than are recipients of this sentiment. The third is the value of cultivating indifference to the suffering of others. Schopenhauer considers suffering as inextricably bound up with human existence, whereas Nietzsche views suffering as a sign of weakness that is last eliminable from human existence. Schopenhauer assumed that sympathy and compas sion have a benign effect upon those who experience these emotions Nietzsche maintains they have the opposite effect. Contra Nietzsche, Schopenhauer deplores the cultivation of indifference towards the suffering of others. I defend Schopenhauer against Nietzsche on all three issues, though I argue that Schopenhauer exaggerates the ubiquity of human suffering and hence the need and pizzazz of the cultivation of self-denial. 1. Nietzsches Revaluation of SchopenhauerOn the basis of his metaphysics, Schopenhauer was led to advocate quietism and resignation as an attitude to life. As is well known, Nietzsche held Schopenhauers views on this and other matters in far higher esteem at the start of his intellectual career than he did at its end. To... ..., Friedrich (1965), Schopenhauer as Educator, trans. J.W. Hillesheim and Malcolm R. Simpson, (South Bend, Indiana, Gateway), pp. 25-26 (2) Nietzsche, Friedrich (1968), descent of the Idols and the Anti-Christ, trans. R.J.Hollingdale, (Ha rmondsworth, Penguin), pp.79-80(3) Nietzsche, Friedrich, op cit, p.75(4) Nietzsche, Friedrich, op cit, p.88(5) Nietzsche, Friedrich, op cit, p. 88(6) Mill, John Stuart (1962), Utilitarianism, (ed.) M.Warnock, (Glasgow, Collins), p.26.(7) Nietzsche, Friedrich (1968), Twilight of the Idols and the Anti-Christ, trans. R.J.Hollingdale, (Harmondsworth, Penguin), pp.118-119.(8) Schopenhauer, Arthur (1965), On the Basis of Morality, trans. E. F. J. Payne, (Indianapolis, Bobbs-Merrill), pp. 211-212.(9) Nietzsche, Friedrich (1969), Thus Spoke Zarathrustra, trans. R.J.Hollingdale, (Harmondsworth, Penguin), p.103.