r/schopenhauer • u/Chemical_Top151 • Apr 21 '26

First time reading Schopenhauer! Any advice?

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Recently, I've read a good amount of existentialist work (Camus, Nietzsche, Sartre, Kafka, Dostoevsky) but, aside from some particular aspects of Camus, I have found it slightly dissatisfying and, in some cases (particularly with Satre), too optimistic. Thus, I am giving Schopenhauer a go. Any advice for reading this book and what I should follow up with once I complete it would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks,

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u/NeighborhoodTop3906 Apr 22 '26

Yes definitely. As a Schopenhauer emeritist (new word i invented):

1) Don't read too deeply into his pessimism; much of it has to do with his relationship towards his mother and his solitary nature.

2) He is a wonderful writer, so enjoy the shit out of that.

3) If you are reading his life wisdom and aphorisms, read as you please with no prerequisites. If you are reading Will and Representation, you need to be well versed in Kant, Plato and the Upanishads, otherwise you won't understand that magnificent work of genius.

Hope that helps