Schopenhauer's Perspective on Human Irrationality

Interpreting Nietzsche and Sophocles

Friedrich Nietzsche, in the third section of his work "The Birth of Tragedy out of the Spirit of Music" (1872), cites an ancient tale from Sophocles. The story revolves around King Midas who, after a long and arduous pursuit, finally captures the wise Silenus, companion of Dionysus. When asked about the most desirable thing for man, Silenus remains silent until eventually, under the king's insistence, he reveals a rather pessimistic view. He suggests that the best thing for man is beyond reach: not to be born, not to exist, to be nothing. The second best, he proposes, is to die soon. Despite the potential for inducing pessimism in readers, Nietzsche's own philosophy was quite the opposite. Even in the face of personal suffering, such as enduring migraines and contracting syphilis, Nietzsche affirmed life until his last breath.

Schopenhauer's Pessimism and Human Irrationality

Arthur Schopenhauer, a philosopher whom Nietzsche might have had in mind when citing Sophocles, held a rather pessimistic view of life. Schopenhauer, despite his eloquent writing style, rejected life. He believed that beneath the superficial layer of rationality in humans, they were fundamentally irrational beings. This irrationality, according to Schopenhauer, was driven by a blind will-to-live, a will that simply desires life without any logical reasoning. The rationalization, he argued, was supplied retrospectively through philosophy, poetry, and art, which conveniently overlooked the harsh truth revealed by Silenus to King Midas.

Current Events and Schopenhauer's Pessimism

Schopenhauer's pessimism, in light of current global events, seems to have underestimated the severity of the situation. He believed that things were bad for humanity, but the reality appears to be even worse. This can be illustrated through the lens of Hollywood's 'bad boy', David Lynch, and his film "Wild at Heart". Lynch's film, seen through the perspective of Schopenhauer's pessimism, depicts the absurdity of existence - the pointless, aimless repetition of life and death cycles.

Nietzsche vs. Schopenhauer: Affirming Life or Embracing Pessimism?

Personally, I have always leaned towards Nietzsche's life-affirming philosophy, especially as expressed in his work "Thus Spake Zarathustra". However, recent global events seem to indicate a world that is not just irrational, but also insane. This insanity is perfectly encapsulated in the final scene of Stanley Kubrick's "Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb".

The Insanity of Today's World

Today, we see characters who seem to be pushing towards a massive scale of destruction that threatens the very existence of life on the planet. This could be seen as a 'death wish', but it's not as simple as a desire to end one's own life or the lives of others. It's an expression of naked aggression, an intention to destroy, which has reached dangerous proportions in today's world.

Global Politics and the Threat of Nuclear War

Evidence of this can be seen in the actions of certain political figures, such as Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who seems determined to destroy Iran. Additionally, Russia's recent revision of its nuclear doctrine, which lowers the threshold for the use of atomic weapons, is another alarming development. Despite the caution expressed in the doctrine, the possibility of actions that could trigger the use of nuclear weapons by Russia, and subsequently by NATO countries, cannot be ignored.

Conclusion: The Gravity of the Situation

The gravity of the situation is such that even Schopenhauer's pessimism seems to fall short. As long as individuals like Senator Graham continue to advocate for the use of nuclear weapons, there is a risk that the public may underestimate the catastrophic consequences of nuclear warfare.

Bottom Line

The world seems to be teetering on the brink of irrationality and insanity, as evidenced by the actions of certain political figures and the escalating global tensions. This situation seems to validate Schopenhauer's pessimistic view of human irrationality, but it also begs the question: Are we truly as irrational and self-destructive as Schopenhauer believed? Or can we, like Nietzsche, affirm life in the face of adversity and strive for a better future? We'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Please share this article with your friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.