John Vespasian

De: John Vespasian
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  • Resumen

  • JOHN VESPASIAN is the author of sixteen books, including “When everything fails, try this” (2009), “Rationality is the way to happiness” (2009), “The philosophy of builders” (2010), “The 10 principles of rational living” (2012), “Rational living, rational working” (2013), “Consistency: The key to permanent stress relief” (2014), “On becoming unbreakable” (2015), “Thriving in difficult times” (2016), “Causality: Aristotle’s life and ideas” (2024), “Foresight: Schopenhauer’s life and ideas” (2024), and "Constancy: Michel de Montaigne's life and ideas" (2025).
    John Vespasian
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Episodios
  • Examples of Schopenhauer’s views on the nature of existence

    Examples of Schopenhauer’s views on the nature of existence
    May 1 2025
    I’m going to point to several examples to illustrate the views of Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) on the nature of human existence. The examples are drawn from famous literary works depicting challenging situations that put Schopenhauer’s advice to the test. Before starting with the examples, let me summarise in four paragraphs Schopenhauer’s views on the nature of existence. First, living creatures are driven by the will, which I translate as “life force” or “primal energy;” the will drives them towards reproduction and survival. The will generates one desire after another. Some of them can be fulfilled, others not. Second, the influence of the will can have disastrous effects on humans because it drives them towards decisions that fulfil short-term desires but without considering the costs, risks, and liabilities. These aspects are presented in Schopenhauer’s book “About the fourfold root of the principle of sufficient reason,” published in 1814. Third, unless you adopt countermeasures, you are likely to succumb to the influence of the will and pay a high price. Your career, finances, reputation and health are at risk. It is in your interest to stay alert and steer away from questionable choices. These aspects are outlined in Schopenhauer’s book “The world as will and representation” (1818). Fourth, human beings can adopt countermeasures to reduce the negative influence of the will, avoid suffering and increase happiness. The measures involve self-discipline, risk reduction and keeping a margin of safety. The countermeasures are found in Schopenhauer’s book “Parerga and Paralipomena” (1851). Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/examples-of-schopenhauers-views-on-the-nature-of-existence/
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    8 m
  • Schopenhauer and Kant, a comparison

    Schopenhauer and Kant, a comparison
    May 1 2025
    Despite their closeness in time, there are huge differences in intent and content between the ideas of Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) and those of Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860). Kant aimed at reconciling empiricism and rationalism, but with little success. The only result of his efforts is to decouple philosophy and science from ethics, leaving the area of values to religion, mysticism, and subjectivity. Historians have baptised Kant’s philosophy “transcendental idealism” in order to hide its deep irrationality and immorality. According to Kant, we derive our understanding of reality from sensory experience and intellectual concepts as much as from the structure of the human mind. The structure is present at birth and predetermines our perceptions and reasoning, said Kant. On this basis, Kant made the distinction between “a priori knowledge” (derived from the structure of our mind) and “a posteriori knowledge” (derived from experience). In particular, he theorised that “a priori insights” come from predetermined categories such as cause and effect, shape, size, etc. Kant devoted his book “Critique of Pure Reason” (1781) to speculating about knowledge theory, predetermined categories, and the limitations of the human mind. Seven years later, he wrote “Critique of Practical Reason,” a book that relinquishes ethics to subjectivity and religion. They are supposed to identify “categorical imperatives” valid to all individuals in all circumstances. However, the moral chaos of our era shows that Kant’s expectations have completely failed. In contrast, Schopenhauer paid little attention to knowledge theory, considering Kant’s speculations of little practical value. Schopenhauer’s key concerns are human motivation, happiness and the minimisation of suffering. While Kant got lost in abstractions, Schopenhauer focused on giving practical advice. His works “About the fourfold root of the principle of sufficient cause” (1808) and “The World as will and representation” answer questions about key elements in human motivation, making better decisions, and minimising risks. Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/schopenhauer-and-kant-a-comparison/
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    6 m
  • Schopenhauer and the unconscious

    Schopenhauer and the unconscious
    May 1 2025
    The philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) on the unconscious has exerted a vast influence on later thinkers such as Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, or Wilhelm Reich. In his work “The world as will and representation” (1818), Schopenhauer outlined his philosophy of the unconscious. Schopenhauer defined the will as the blind, irrational drive to survive, reproduce, and seek pleasure at any cost. It’s a force that influences all living creatures, and that can prompt human beings to make dire mistakes. The will encompasses instincts and impulses that Sigmund Freud had named “the unconscious.” Schopenhauer viewed the will as a force operating beyond the realm of awareness. Thus, the will can prompt individuals to act illogically, detrimentally, or foolishly. According to Schopenhauer, the conscious mind is a surface layer driven by the will; unless you adopt countermeasures, the desires, instincts and impulses created by the will can prompt you to take counterproductive decisions. Schopenhauer devoted decades to identifying measures to counteract the will, minimise suffering and increase happiness. However, in his work “Parerga and Paralipomena” (1851), he admitted that it is easier to minimise suffering than to ensure happiness. The will can lead to intense pleasure, but also to suffering. I must explain the latter because it is far from self-evident. If the will is trying to protect life, why does suffering take place? Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/schopenhauer-and-the-unconscious/
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    6 m
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