Schopenhauer, Religion and Morality - The Humble Path to Ethics

This work challenges the textbook assessment of Schopenhauer as militant atheist and absolute pessimist. In examining Schopenhauer's grappling with religion, theology and Kant's moral philosophy, Mannion suggests we can actually discern a 'religious' humility in method in Schopenhauer's work, seen most clearly in his ethics of compassion and his doctrine of salvation. Given current debates between theologians and philosophers in relation to 'postmodernity' and 'postmodern thought', this book illustrates that Schopenhauer should be a key figure in such debates.

List of contents

Contents: Introduction: Schopenhauer and Religion: Schopenhauer's worldview: hope or depair?; Militant atheist? Introducing Schopenhauer on religion; Metaphysics of the people: Schopenhauer, religion and truth; Schopenhauer and Morality: Reason and the foundation of ethics: Schopenhauer's rejection of the Kantian moral system; Kant, religion and morality: first steps on the 'humble path'; Mitleid and morality: interpreting Schopenhauer's ethics; Schopenhauer's humble path: Schopenhauer and the moral gap: the thing-in-itself, the will and beyond; The religion of Schopenhauer: searching for meaning and salvation; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

About the author

Gerard Mannion

Summary

In recent years, the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer has experienced a revival in the degree of interest it has attracted. This book covers a perceived gap in the scholarship, focusing on his moral philosophy and his ideas on religion and theology.

Product details

• Authors: Gerard Mannion
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 06.11.2003
• EAN: 9780754608233
• ISBN: 978-0-7546-0823-3
• No. of pages: 328
• Weight: 589 g
• Series: Ashgate New Critical Thinking in Philosophy
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: general, reference works; Germany, PHILOSOPHY / Religious, PHILOSOPHY / Ethics & Moral Philosophy, PHILOSOPHY / History & Surveys / General, RELIGION / Philosophy, Ethics & moral philosophy, Ethics and moral philosophy, Philosophy of religion, Western philosophy: c 1600 to c 1900, Philosophical traditions and schools of thought