Schopenhauer: The World as Will and Idea

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Dr. Michael Sugrue earned his BA at the University of Chicago and PhD at Columbia University.

[Sunfried]

RIP Dr. Sugrue. You will live on through your teaching .

[robsamartino]

Sugrue’s attitude towards Schopenhauer seems to match Schopenhauer’s attitude towards life

[sanghoonlee]

When I first encountered Schopenhauer I tought he was a miserable weirdo, an unhappy old fox shouting to the world that life is sour grapes. 10 years later, as I enter my 40s with the fruitless angst of youth behind me, I see where he was coming from. So much of activity in our world arises from wants and lust that seem irresistibly seductive but ultimately fail to reward or fulfill. I do wonder from time to time whether Mother Nature has programmed us to chase futile hopes and mirages just so we will live long enough to reproduce the next generation of fools that will repeat another round of the mad dance.

[erictello]

“He’s performed the unusual service of sharing his unhappiness with us” I am honored to have access to your linguistic conceptual illustrations.

[robertpaulson]

The older I get the more I agree with Schopenhauer.

[mikelopez]

Schopenhauer's insights are so freeing. It's sort of a rock bottom positioning, "I expected it to be this bad and it is, so all I can do now is laugh!"

[geoycs]

I am a great admirer of Sugrue, and love all of his lectures in this series. They are truly wonderful! I must, however, offer a counter position with regard to his approach to Schopenhauer. Schopenhauer is pessimistic, yes, but he is not horrible and scary. Also, I would absolutely recommend to anyone to begin their study of this fascinating and engaging philosopher directly with « The World as Will and Idea . » You will get his passion, erudition, and mastery of philosophy and language in a clear, straightforward way. Why bother starting with anything else? Also, briefly, Schopenhauer concludes profoundly and humanely that compassion is the proper attitude toward the harshness of the world. I think this call for compassion is so meaningful, and is something we would all do well to keep in mind. We all suffer, so let’s have compassion for what others go through.

[iart]

He had the courage to explore the misery of life, makes no excuses or the need to make people feel positive

[SaxonRanger]

Rest In Peace Dr Sugrue. Thank you for your diligence and care. You conquered yourself and in turn shared your great mind with the world. A true master of the art of oration and explanation, you saved us many hours of rehashing texts and troubled speculations.😁

You lived atop mountains. May you rest amongst waves of the cosmic tide, finality in gnosis and ultimate solace. Enjoy the ride. 🙏🏼

[Artislife-xr]

I heard Michael for the first time about a year ago. The impact on me was so profound that I immediately bought all of Nietzsche's works. Now, I need to read Nietzsche every day. As a piano teacher, it has made me so much better. Michael will always be an absolute idol for me. Thank you, dear master, wherever you are.

[meganola]

Dr. Sugrue reminds me of one of those professors who speaks so clearly and concisely that I genuinely enjoy going to their classes, even if I have almost no previous interest in the topic.

Thank you so much for posting these videos. And please keep uploading more lectures! I genuinely enjoy listening to them.

[enlightenedanalysis]

A great lecture with humour injected in. Just to mention that I find Schopenhauer's pessimism soothing and comforting. Also: Nietzsche rejected much of Schopenhauer's pessimistic teachings in the late 1800s. Nietzsche considered Schopenhauer a "decadent" - meaning someone in a state of decay. In fact, Nietzsche wanted us to embrace life and say yes to life - quite the opposite of Schopenhauer. Many thanks again for a wonderful and enjoyable lecture, Michael.

[mybd]

I have heard all of the other old lectures and in fact rewarched them so often that I know them a little too well. Being able to listen to a new one is a treat. Thank you very much!

[ali]

Schopenhauer is the single greatest philosopher in history. He is as close as we have gotten to the Higher Men.

[jdzentrist]

So ironic, because in spite of everything, Schopenhauer enjoyed life, especially the arts, including obviously music, the theatre, literature and philosophy (except for Hegel!). He loved the pub. On occasion, he "loved" women. He loved food prepared by someone else, and good conversation. He thought the English were the "most intelligent race." Goethe said he "will out-do all of us, " and he was right. Amazing, courageous man, no saint, but very few are. Thank you Michael Sugrue and thank you for keeping on keeping on.

[rdcoastnyucka]

This is biased from the beginning. He was not a “one-trick pony, ” and his ideas are not “unpleasant” or “off-putting.” He combined Kant’s transcendental idealism with eastern philosophy, and wrote in a lovely, clear prose, unlike 99 percent of philosophers. He was an artist who understood the value of art. There’s a reason Tolstoy said he spent an amazing summer reading The World as Will and Representation.

[Ffsdevgj]

I tought I was alone and crazy… but these ideas have been there in the human psyche for eons.

[yarivfreed]

Schopenhauer spent his afternoons playing music and his evenings going to plays and concerts. Hardly a man wallowing in misery.

[outofbox]

Youtube was made for this stuff. Michael I love you man

[TheDevilsPrank]

The best lecturer I've had the pleasure of listening to, not just on YouTube, but in my entire lifetime and 25 years of education.