Schopenhauer's works:
Parerga and Paralipomena vol. 1: https://amzn.to/3pK6xCj
Parerga and Paralipomena vol. 2: https://amzn.to/3jJa2p0
The World as Will and Representation vol. 1: https://amzn.to/3FPGkIj
The World as Will and Representation vol. 2: https://amzn.to/3FT0nFC
The will to life objectifies itself in the multitude of the phenomenal world. All that is, everything we experience, is the Will become flesh, so to speak.
This is as true for the lifeless rock as it is for ourselves. As we move up the ladder, from rocks to plants to animals, we can see the Will more clearly at work, more distinctively objectified. In the higher organisms, such as animals, the Will finds more clever ways to assert its own objectification.
In general, the more clever an animal is, the more sophisticated its Will-expressions, in other words, its struggle for survival, will be.
We can see this mechanism at work when ravens or chimpanzees solve puzzles for food.
We like to watch animals. It’s just one of those things humans seem to enjoy. Have you ever wondered why that is?
Arthur Schopenhauer’s works are full of psychological observations which he goes on to explain through the lens of his philosophy. He considered it one of his philosophy’s greatest strengths: while his system was constructed through pure reason and subjective experience, it also accounted for a great deal of natural phenomena, ranging from the observation that plants seem to fight each other for sunlight, to explanations for seemingly obvious little facts of life.
For example, that humans like to observe animals.
Because of the all-encompassing nature of Schopenhauer’s philosophy, having a good understanding of The World as Will and Representation will add an extra layer of meaning to Schopenhauer’s explanations. However, even without this knowledge there is much to be gained from reading this little essay.
With more complex degrees of objectification, comes an increased intelligence. With humans, the Will finds its most complex objectification yet, and correspondingly, humans are the most intelligent beings in the world. It’s important to note that the intellect is a byproduct of, and subservient to, the Will. But that is a subject for another video.
The high intelligence afforded to humans by the Will, comes at a great cost. First, it makes us aware of the suffering of the world. And second, it allows us to lie, mislead, and cheat. In other words, it allows us to hide our true feelings.
In animals we can witness the Will without the veil of reason hanging over it, obscuring it. We take delight in a more pure form of existence, a naïve existence, unburdened with the knowledge of the sufferings of the world with which we humans are so intimately acquainted.
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