Arthur Schopenhauer, philosopher: "Courtesy is a tacit transaction of mutually ignoring moral misery and not reproaching one another for it"'
Compassion can guide us toward a more humane ethics, especially in the face of dissatisfaction and everyday suffering, through Schopenhauer's reflection on morality and the suffering of others.
Life, in its constant search for meaning, often feels like a labyrinth with no way out, where happiness seems like an unattainable goal . This longing is clouded by the need for approval and the fear of loneliness, which leads to deep frustration in our interpersonal relationships. The difficulty lies in the human dilemma of confronting the moral misery that, as Schopenhauer points out, is hidden in our social coexistence, a tacit transaction that avoids facing both others' suffering and our own.
In "Parerga and Paralipomena" , Schopenhauer invites us to reflect on the way in which that social courtesy camouflages our own inner unrest. This act of ignoring our mutual misery not only perpetuates suffering, but also distances us from the genuine human connection that could offer relief and understanding. Thus, the need for true empathy is raised, one that transcends the superficiality of relationships and addresses the universal problem of loneliness and the desire for authenticity.
Courtesy is an unspoken transaction of mutually ignoring moral misery and of not reproaching each other for it
The will as the essence of human suffering
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) was a German philosopher known for his pessimistic approach and his profound reflection on human nature. He developed a philosophy centered on the idea of "will," a blind and irrational force underlying all existence and generating suffering. His most important work, "The World as Will and Representation" , sets out his critique of idealism and proposes that life is dominated by an insatiable desire that can never be fulfilled. Schopenhauer is considered a precursor to several contemporary currents of thought, and his legacy has notably influenced figures such as Nietzsche and Freud.
Schopenhauer's thought is contextualized within his critique of Kantian morality, emphasizing that compassion, rather than reason, should be the foundation of our moral actions . This approach places him in dialogue with other thinkers, both of his own time and of later eras, who have explored the complex nature of suffering and existence. The interrelationship between will and suffering becomes a central axis of his philosophy. Furthermore, his philosophical pessimism connects with a broader critique of the human condition, proposing that suffering is the norm in life experience.
