Schopenhauer and the Nature of Philosophy by Jonathan Head offers a detailed examination of Arthur Schopenhauer’s metaphilosophy, a dimension of his thought that has, until now, been largely overshadowed by his more well-known ideas on metaphysics, ethics, and aesthetics. This book ventures into the unexplored terrain of Schopenhauer’s conception of philosophy itself, revealing a rich and compelling framework that not only underpins his entire philosophical system but also provides vital insights into the broader questions of what philosophy is and what it can offer to humanity.
Jonathan Head begins by addressing the fundamental question: What is philosophy? For Schopenhauer, philosophy is not merely an academic discipline or a pursuit of abstract knowledge but is deeply rooted in the universal human experience. Schopenhauer posits that philosophy arises from a profound sense of wonder about life and the world—a wonder that is intrinsic to the human condition. This wonder is not a trivial curiosity but a deeply existential inquiry into the nature of reality, the self, and the meaning of existence. Schopenhauer’s perspective challenges the often rigid and technical confines of modern philosophy by asserting that philosophical inquiry is driven by a fundamental need for metaphysics—a need that seeks both explanation and consolation in the face of the harsh realities of the world.
Head elaborates on Schopenhauer’s view that the need for metaphysics is a natural and universal human impulse. It is this impulse that propels individuals towards philosophical reflection, differentiating philosophy from other forms of knowledge such as religion and science. While religion offers metaphysical answers in the form of allegory and myth, and science seeks empirical explanations of the natural world, philosophy, according to Schopenhauer, occupies a unique position. It aims to address the most profound questions about existence in a way that neither religion nor science can fully satisfy. Philosophy, therefore, serves a dual purpose: it is both a search for truth and a means of achieving a kind of spiritual therapy or salvation, providing relief from the existential suffering that pervades human life.
This dual purpose of philosophy is central to Schopenhauer’s metaphilosophy, and Head unpacks its implications. He argues that Schopenhauer views philosophy as having the potential to offer a moral explanation of the world, one that is capable of guiding individuals towards a deeper understanding of their own existence and the nature of the world they inhabit. However, Schopenhauer also acknowledges the limitations of philosophy, particularly its reliance on conceptual thought, which can never fully capture the intuitive truths that lie at the heart of human experience. Despite these limitations, Schopenhauer believes that philosophy can tap into a universal sense of the world’s inherent wrongness—a sense that, while difficult to articulate, can inspire profound personal reflection and, ultimately, lead to a form of existential consolation.
Head’s exploration of Schopenhauer’s metaphilosophy also goes into the methods and intellectual sources that Schopenhauer believed were essential for philosophical inquiry. Schopenhauer distinguishes between the objective and subjective standpoints, both of which he considers crucial for philosophical insight. The objective standpoint involves the examination of the world as it presents itself to us, while the subjective standpoint considers the nature of consciousness and the self. Schopenhauer famously argues that the subjective standpoint is primary, as it provides the foundation for his metaphysical claim that the essence of the world is will. However, he also contends that the objective standpoint can corroborate the insights gained from the subjective perspective, thereby reinforcing the validity of his philosophical system.
In examining these methodological distinctions, Head highlights how Schopenhauer’s metaphilosophy informs his broader philosophical project. Schopenhauer’s approach to philosophy is not purely theoretical; it is also deeply practical, aimed at addressing the most pressing existential concerns that arise from the human condition. Philosophy, for Schopenhauer, is a discipline that seeks to penetrate the surface of reality and reach the underlying truths that govern our existence. It is a form of inquiry that challenges us to confront the limits of rational reflection and to grapple with the ineffable aspects of life that resist easy explanation.
Head’s study further explores the relationship between philosophy, religion, and science in Schopenhauer’s thought. He argues that Schopenhauer sees philosophy as distinct from, yet in dialogue with, these other forms of knowledge. While religion and science each have their own methods and aims, philosophy is concerned with the ultimate questions that transcend the empirical and the doctrinal. This distinction is crucial for understanding Schopenhauer’s conception of the philosopher as a figure who is uniquely positioned to offer insights into the nature of reality that are both profound and transformative.
Through a careful analysis of Schopenhauer’s writings, Head reveals how Schopenhauer’s metaphilosophy sheds light on the broader philosophical issues that occupied him throughout his life. By exploring the aims, methods, and limitations of philosophy, Schopenhauer not only defines the role of the philosopher but also offers a vision of philosophy that is deeply engaged with the human experience. His metaphilosophy thus provides a key to understanding his entire philosophical system, offering new perspectives on his ideas about metaphysics, ethics, and aesthetics.
Jonathan Head has produced a work that is both rigorous and illuminating, making a significant contribution to the study of Schopenhauer and to metaphilosophy more generally. His detailed and nuanced interpretation of Schopenhauer’s metaphilosophy opens up new avenues for understanding the relevance of Schopenhauer’s thought to contemporary philosophical debates. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in Schopenhauer, the nature of philosophy, and the enduring questions of human existence that continue to inspire philosophical inquiry.
Simon Gros 
Leave a comment