Life ideals in Schopenhauer’s practical philosophy

Abstract

In this paper I aim to explore Schopenhauer’s practical philosophy from the perspective of ancient ethics. Ancient ethics primarily tend to respond to Socrates’ question, namely: «How should one live?» Given this, they characteristically intend to precise the content of the best life for human beings. Modern ethics, in contrast, seem to be centered in the concept of action; in consequence, they tend to be more concerned with the question: «What ought I to do?» In spite of being a modern philosopher, Schopenhauer’s ethics exhibits in my opinion more affinity with the ancient point of view rather than with the modern. In order to provide a plausible defense of this thesis, I will offer a reconstruction of the different life ideals that Schopenhauer’s practical philosophy allows us to identify.