Narziss

At the conclusion of a Schopenhauer & Nietzsche seminar that I completed in the previous spring semester, I wrote a paper titled, ”On the Role of Consciousness in Schopenhauer”.

The essay presents a look into how Schopenhauer conceives of consciousness and its battle with the unconscious.  I then conclude the essay with several objections to Schopenhauer brought up by Nietzsche.  Here is my abstract:

Schopenhauer presents us with a fascinating look into the power of the unconscious.  However, the leading theme in his discussion, as detailed in The World as Will and Representation, is freedom from this unconscious.  Nietzsche, heavily influenced by Schopenhauer, recognizes the great importance of the unconscious mind.  However, he disagrees with Schopenhauer’s evaluation (that freedom from the unconscious is desirable), and he believes that such emancipation is impossible; Nietzsche does not believe consciousness can be severed (or that it can function when severed) from the unconscious drives.  However, before detailing Nietzsche’s criticisms, I spend a great portion of the essay explaining Schopenhauer’s philosophy of consciousness.  

In this essay, I discuss Schopenhauer’s philosophy, beginning with a very brief discussion of the similarities and differences between Schopenhauer’s and Kant’s metaphysics, and leading to Schopenhauer’s ultimate description of how consciousness (or the intellect) can free itself from the drives.  In accordance with Schopenhauer’s philosophy, I describe the role of consciousness in the normal individual to then contrast it with its role in the genius or exceptional individual.  I also discuss the physical, bodily basis he formulates between the normal and exceptional individuals.  Finally, I briefly articulate how Schopenhauer conceives of the act of emancipation from the drives by the exceptional individual.  In conclusion, the essay ends with a presentation of four contentions that Nietzsche gives against four respective claims found in the discussed aspects of Schopenhauer’s philosophy.

Click on the reference to download the essay:

Narziss, Carlos (2010), “The Role of Consciousness in Schopenhauer”.