The second volume of "Appendices and Supplements" is the "Supplement", which contains 31 chapters, 400 stanzas and 15 poems. Among them, 15 chapters are newly translated and 8 chapters are fully translated. The poems about youth are translated for the first time. The book has more than 600,000 words. He noted in the table of contents of Volume 2 that it is "decentralized but systematically arranged thinking on multiple topics." The first 15 chapters are a supplement to his main philosophical works, including philosophy and its methods, things in themselves and phenomena, ethics, philosophy and natural science, the nothingness and pain of existence, suicide and religion, etc.; The last 16 chapters expound his views on real life and life issues from the perspective of the philosophy of will. The "Supplement" reflects his profound reading and profound and broad thinking. It is a symphony of analysis and commentary surrounding the various manifestations of the philosophy of will in the objective world. He had special considerations in ending his work with poetry.
Volume 2 is a collection of famous articles. In addition to the widely praised "The Wisdom of Life", Schopenhauer also has some famous articles with outstanding literary talent, profound thoughts, eloquent writing style, and short and concise poems. These famous articles are all in Volume 2. For example, "On Judgment, Criticism, Praise and Reputation", "On Reading and Books", "On Scholars and Erudition", "On Writing and Style", "On Thinking for Oneself", "On Religion", etc., Including of course the infamous "On Woman". These famous articles are variations on the theme of will. The themes involved are closely related to everyone's life. They are full of fun and instructive. Great ideas come from the heart. Great thinkers are beacons for mankind.
In "Appendices and Supplements", his pessimism no longer questions the value of human existence, but has a sympathetic and comfortable light on the suffering life. He tried to show human existence in an elegant way, bringing some warmth and nostalgia to the suffering life. Here, with a relaxed mind, a sarcastic and humorous tone, he talks about the wisdom of seeking a moment of happiness in the gap between pain and death, which is abstinence, asceticism, self-cultivation, and solitude. The way to escape suffering is aesthetic experience, compassion, abstinence and self-denial. This supreme value can bring salvation to those who flee from the will.
Volume 2 is a philosophy dedicated to the world and a widely praised literary masterpiece.
Reader comments
This rich book covers Schopenhauer's profound thinking on many important topics. His unique philosophical viewpoints and fluent writing style can inspire readers while reading. In particular, some famous chapters in the book, such as "On Reading and Books" and "On Scholars and Erudite", are not only rich in thought, but also provide people with a deeper understanding of life. All in all, this is a book worth reading.
This rich book covers Schopenhauer's profound thinking on many important topics. His unique philosophical viewpoints and fluent writing style can inspire readers while reading. In particular, some famous chapters in the book, such as "On Reading and Books" and "On Scholars and Erudite", are not only rich in thought, but also provide people with a deeper understanding of life. All in all, this is a book worth reading.