Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A German philosopher: Arthur Schopenhauer was a 19th-century German philosopher known for his philosophical system and his influential writings on metaphysics, aesthetics, and ethics.
   • A proponent of philosophical pessimism: He is most famous for his pessimistic view of existence, arguing that the world is fundamentally driven by a blind, irrational will, leading to inevitable suffering.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer had a profound impact on later thinkers like Friedrich Nietzsche.
  • In his major work, "The World as Will and Representation," Arthur Schopenhauer presents his core metaphysical ideas.

Advanced Usage

• Schopenhauerian (adj): Relating to or characteristic of the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer.
  • The novelist's bleak worldview is often described as Schopenhauerian in its outlook.

Variants and Related Words

• Schopenhauerianism (n): The philosophical doctrines or system of Arthur Schopenhauer.
  • Schopenhauerianism emphasizes the primacy of the will and the futility of desire.

Synonyms

• The philosopher of pessimism: A common epithet for Arthur Schopenhauer.
• The hermit of Frankfurt: A nickname referencing his later reclusive life in Frankfurt.

Noun

1. German pessimist philosopher (1788-1860)