Arthur Schopenhauer (1788?1860) was a German philosopher known for his pessimistic and metaphysical views. Born in Danzig (now Gda?sk, Poland), Schopenhauer is best known for his work "The World as Will and Representation" ("Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung"), published in 1818.
Schopenhauer's philosophy revolves around the concept of the "will," which he considered the fundamental force driving all existence. He argued that the will is an irrational, blind force that manifests itself in the world and is the source of human desires and suffering. Schopenhauer was influenced by Eastern philosophies, particularly Indian philosophy, and saw similarities between his ideas and concepts found in Buddhism.
In addition to his views on the will, Schopenhauer explored various aspects of aesthetics and art. He believed that art provides a temporary escape from the suffering caused by the will, offering a glimpse into a realm beyond ordinary experience.
Despite facing initial obscurity and criticism during his lifetime, Schopenhauer's ideas gained recognition and influenced later philosophers, including Friedrich Nietzsche, Sigmund Freud, and Albert Einstein. Schopenhauer's emphasis on the irrational and subconscious aspects of human behavior had a lasting impact on the development of existentialist and psychological thought.