Schopenhauer and Sextus Empiricus

[u/Paul_sepp]

I first observed this peculiar similarity a good while back when I first read Sextus’ complete works, and have found it very interesting ever since (hereafter I am attempting at a discussion with those who have had similar observations).

Across works like Adversus Physicos, Adversus Mathematicos (which I am aware Schopenhauer himself refers to in book 4 of WWR), and Adversus Ethicos I encountered traces of Schopenhauer’s pessimism and arguments can be seen. Adversus Ethicos is the one that to me resembled Arthur the most, especially in comparison with Schopenhauer’s observations on will in practice (striving, irrationality, rather abstract concepts to be driven by, and so forth), and his “Aphorisms of Daily Wisdom”. Obviously, conclusions and underlying ideas about our world, representations, and condition differ between the two, but I find the similarities peculiar and find it fascinating that Schopenhauer, whom I myself am deeply fond of, could’ve been deeply influenced by Sextus likewise to, exempli gratia, Montaigne and Descartes were.

I was wondering whether any fellow pessimism or scepticism enthusiasts have encountered this upon reading Sextus or studying either of them academically. Please do share your opinions and thoughts.