Nietzsche vs. Schopenhauer: A Philosophical Contrast

My introduction into the jousting philosophies of Nietzsche and Schopenhauer were brought to my attention in a fantastic book by Alain de Bottom called Consolations of Philosophy, In this book, I’m made aware how Nietzsche initially tales on Schopenhauer in an almost Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus relationship. “I took [Schopenhauer’s book] in my hand as something totally unfamiliar and turned the pages. I don’t know which daimon was whispering to me: ‘Take this book home.’ In any case, it happened, which was contrary to my custom of otherwise never rushing into buying a book. Back at the house I threw myself into the corner of a sofa with my new treasure, and began to let that dynamic, dismal genius work on me. Each line cried out with renunciation, negation, resignation.” However, we soon find out that Nietzsche divulges greatly from Schopenhauer’s viewpoint and their philosophy on living life moves in opposite (but still pessimistic) directions!

Let’s delve a little more into this. Arthur Schopenhauer and Friedrich Nietzsche were both influential 19th-century German philosophers, but their views on life, morality, and human nature differed significantly. Key Differences

1. The Will and Power:
   • Schopenhauer: Saw the world as driven by a blind, irrational “Will to Live,” which is the source of all suffering.
   • Nietzsche: Proposed the “Will to Power” as the fundamental driving force of life, a desire for self-overcoming and growth.
2. The Value of Life:
   • Schopenhauer: Saw life as fundamentally suffering and meaningless.
   • Nietzsche: Believed that life, even with its suffering, should be affirmed and embraced.
3. Morality and Values:
   • Schopenhauer: Advocated for compassion and sympathy as a means of mitigating suffering.
   • Nietzsche: Rejected traditional morality as a slave morality and advocated for a new, aristocratic morality based on strength and creativity.
4. The Overman:
   • Schopenhauer: Did not envision a higher human form.
   • Nietzsche: Believed in the possibility of creating a “higher” human, or “Overman,” who would transcend the limitations of ordinary humanity.
5. The Eternal Return:
   • Schopenhauer: Did not discuss the concept.
   • Nietzsche: Introduced the idea of the Eternal Return, the concept that life is an infinite cycle of events, and that one should live as if one’s life were to be repeated infinitely.

In essence, while both philosophers were pessimistic about the human condition, their approaches to dealing with this pessimism were radically different. Schopenhauer sought escape from suffering, while Nietzsche embraced it as a challenge to be overcome. Schopenhauer’s Philosophy on a Quiet Life Arthur Schopenhauer, a 19th-century German philosopher known for his pessimistic worldview, believed that a quiet, solitary life was the ideal way to minimize suffering. His philosophy, often described as pessimistic idealism, emphasized the inherent suffering and futility of human existence. Here are some key aspects of Schopenhauer’s philosophy related to a quiet life:

• The Will to Live: Schopenhauer saw the world as driven by a blind, irrational force he called the “Will to Live.” This will is the source of all desire and suffering. By minimizing our desires, we can reduce our suffering.
• Solitude and Contemplation: Schopenhauer believed that solitude and contemplation were essential for peace of mind. He argued that social interaction often leads to conflict and disappointment.
• The World as Will and Representation: Schopenhauer’s metaphysics divided reality into two aspects: the “Will” (the underlying reality of existence) and the “Representation” (the world as we perceive it). By understanding the nature of the Will, we can transcend the suffering of the Representation.
• The Denial of the Will: Schopenhauer suggested that we could achieve a state of peace and liberation by denying the Will to Live. This could be done through asceticism, meditation, or artistic creation.

Schopenhauer’s philosophy advocated for a quiet, contemplative life as a means of escaping the suffering inherent in human existence. By minimizing our desires and focusing on inner peace, we could find a sense of tranquility and contentment. Friedrich Nietzsche disagreed with Schopenhauer’s philosophy on a quiet life. While both philosophers shared a pessimistic view of the world, Nietzsche’s perspective was more dynamic and active. Here are some key differences in their views:

• The Will to Power: Nietzsche rejected Schopenhauer’s concept of the “Will to Live” and instead proposed the “Will to Power.” For Nietzsche, life was about striving for dominance, growth, and self-overcoming. A quiet, contemplative life was seen as a form of weakness and stagnation.
• The Overman: Nietzsche believed in the possibility of creating a “higher” human, or “Overman,” who would transcend the limitations of ordinary humanity. This required a life of active engagement with the world, not passive retreat.
• The Eternal Return: Nietzsche’s concept of the Eternal Return, the idea that life is an infinite cycle of events, demanded an affirmation of life, even with its suffering. A quiet life would be a denial of this affirmation.

While Schopenhauer advocated for a quiet, contemplative life as a way to escape suffering, Nietzsche believed in a more active, dynamic approach to life. For Nietzsche, the goal was not to avoid suffering but to overcome it and create a higher form of humanity. So, how does an amateur philosopher like me marry these two diametrically opposite viewpoints together from two of the most powerful and influential philosophers in history? Simple, they’re both correct! Alain may let me know sometime if this viewpoint has been progressed by a significantly more hardened philosopher than me, but here are a few ideas. When might it be wise to have a quiet life? While both Schopenhauer and Nietzsche offered different perspectives on the value of a quiet life, there are certain circumstances where it might be considered wise:

1. During Times of Stress or Grief: A quiet life can provide a much-needed respite from external pressures and allow for emotional healing.
2. When Seeking Personal Growth or Enlightenment: A quiet life can facilitate introspection, meditation, and spiritual practices, which can lead to greater self-understanding and inner peace.
3. For Individuals with Certain Personality Traits: Those who naturally prefer solitude or who find social interactions draining may find a quiet life more fulfilling.
4. To Avoid Unnecessary Drama or Conflict: A simpler, less eventful life can reduce the likelihood of encountering negative experiences.

It’s important to note that a quiet life doesn’t necessarily mean a completely isolated one. It can simply involve minimizing distractions and focusing on activities that bring peace and contentment. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to pursue a quiet life is a personal one that should be based on individual needs and values. The concept of the “Overman” is a complex one, introduced by Friedrich Nietzsche in his work Thus Spoke Zarathustra. It’s not a literal goal to strive for but rather a metaphorical representation of human potential. Nietzsche didn’t provide a specific timeline or set of conditions for becoming an Overman. Instead, he emphasized the idea that it’s a lifelong journey of self-overcoming, creativity, and the affirmation of life. Some key aspects of becoming an Overman, according to Nietzsche, include:

• Overcoming traditional morality: This involves rejecting the values and beliefs imposed by society and developing one’s own unique philosophy of life.
• Embracing suffering: Nietzsche believed that suffering is necessary for growth and that the Overman must learn to embrace it as a challenge to be overcome.
• Cultivating creativity: The Overman is seen as a creator of new values and a shaper of the future.
• Affirming life: The Overman must say “yes” to life, even with all its challenges and suffering.

It’s important to remember that becoming an Overman is not about achieving a specific goal or status. It’s about living a life of meaning and purpose, constantly striving for self-improvement and the creation of something new. Nietzsche advocates for a passionate and affirmative embrace of life. He believes that life is inherently full of suffering and challenges, but these difficulties should not be seen as reasons for despair. Instead, they should be embraced as opportunities for growth and self-overcoming. Here are some of Nietzsche’s key ideas about embracing life:

• The Will to Power: Nietzsche sees life as driven by a fundamental desire for power, growth, and self-overcoming. This desire should be embraced and channeled into creative and productive pursuits.
• The Eternal Return: Nietzsche’s concept of the Eternal Return suggests that life is an infinite cycle of events that will be repeated endlessly. This idea can be motivating, as it encourages us to live each moment to the fullest, knowing that it will be repeated.
• The Overman: The Overman, a higher human form envisioned by Nietzsche, is a symbol of the potential for human greatness. Embracing life is essential for reaching this potential.
• Saying “Yes” to Life: Nietzsche encourages us to say “yes” to life, even with its challenges and suffering. This means affirming the value of existence and living with passion and intensity.

Ultimately, Nietzsche’s philosophy is a call to action. He believes that a passive, resigned attitude towards life is a waste of human potential. Instead, we should embrace life with all its joys and sorrows, and strive to create something meaningful and lasting. I believe it is prudent to move through life adhering to both these viewpoints, there will be times in life that it makes sense to keep one’s head low, avoid the conflicts, and just move through a quieter journey. Then there is the key to life that it must be lived according to Nietzsche, warts and all, as Nietzsche said: “To those human beings who are of any concern to me I wish suffering, desolation, sickness, ill-treatment, indignities — I wish that they should not remain unfamiliar with profound self-contempt, the torture of self-mistrust, the wretchedness of the vanquished: I have no pity for them, because I wish them the only thing that can prove today whether one is worth anything or not — that one endures.” ~The Will to Power Life should be embraced, with all it’s pain, to achieve success.

Nietzsche and Schopenhauer offered contrasting perspectives on how to live life:

• Nietzsche: Advocated for an active, affirmative, and creative approach to life. He emphasized the importance of overcoming suffering, embracing challenges, and striving for self-overcoming. Nietzsche believed in the potential for human greatness and encouraged individuals to create their own values and meanings.
• Schopenhauer: Promoted a passive, contemplative, and ascetic approach to life. He saw life as inherently suffering and believed that the best way to minimize pain was to reduce desires and seek solitude. Schopenhauer emphasized the importance of inner peace and transcending the Will to Live.

Fullife.com advocates for doing both, whichever is right for you at your time of life.