Weiqing
asked:
Schopenhauer presupposes his readers to have read Kant's work before starting on this book. Are there any other works I should have perused beforehand that would enhance this reading? Which of Kant's essays would be especially useful for The World as Will and Representation? Thanks in advance!
To answer questions about
The World as Will and Representation, Volume I,
please sign up.
Ken
Hi Weiqing,
I am actually in a similar position as you. From what others have told me, I think WWR is quite easy to read, even without prior knowledge of Kant's ideas. However, having read Kant first, you will find WWR more rewarding.
Here is a good reddit post with a better explanation: https://www.reddit.com/r/askphilosoph...
I am currently reading "Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics" and "Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals". I believe these are the most accessible of Kant's works, and every other book seems too difficult for a beginner. Both books are around 100 pages each and are quite easy to get through.
If you are planning to read Prolegomena though, I would suggest first reading David Hume's An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, which Prolegomena is written in response to. Enquiry is also around 100 pages and is very easy to get through.
Anyway, not sure if I have fully answered your question, but hopefully this is helpful to you.
Good luck!
(p.s. nice reading list you have!)
I am actually in a similar position as you. From what others have told me, I think WWR is quite easy to read, even without prior knowledge of Kant's ideas. However, having read Kant first, you will find WWR more rewarding.
Here is a good reddit post with a better explanation: https://www.reddit.com/r/askphilosoph...
I am currently reading "Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics" and "Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals". I believe these are the most accessible of Kant's works, and every other book seems too difficult for a beginner. Both books are around 100 pages each and are quite easy to get through.
If you are planning to read Prolegomena though, I would suggest first reading David Hume's An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, which Prolegomena is written in response to. Enquiry is also around 100 pages and is very easy to get through.
Anyway, not sure if I have fully answered your question, but hopefully this is helpful to you.
Good luck!
(p.s. nice reading list you have!)
Mac
Here:
1. Plato, The Last Days of Socrates
2. Plato, The Republic - both with the above for a general overview of objective idealism that influences Schopenhauer.
3. Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding - an absolute must before approaching Kant since he was his main influence.
4. Kant, Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics - pick a green Cambridge edition with fragments from Critique.
5. Kant, Groundwork for Metahpysics of Morals - for main Kant's ethical point (Categorical imperative).
Note: the list is the shortest possible path to understanding Schopenhauer's main influences. I chose concise and short works (here, an exception being Republic).
1. Plato, The Last Days of Socrates
2. Plato, The Republic - both with the above for a general overview of objective idealism that influences Schopenhauer.
3. Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding - an absolute must before approaching Kant since he was his main influence.
4. Kant, Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics - pick a green Cambridge edition with fragments from Critique.
5. Kant, Groundwork for Metahpysics of Morals - for main Kant's ethical point (Categorical imperative).
Note: the list is the shortest possible path to understanding Schopenhauer's main influences. I chose concise and short works (here, an exception being Republic).
Ganesan Sankarraman
The Critique of Pure Reason might be a good beginning to understand Schopenhauer's philosophy. But Schopenhauer's language is more powerful than the bland ones of Kant.
Derek
Familiarize yourself with epistemology beginning with Plato and Aristotle, and as far as Kant goes, familiarize yourself with his critiques and with his style of reasoning. It may also be helpful to read a primer on the principle of sufficient reason.
Michael Kress
I'm not very familiar with Kant, and I totally get everything he's talking about in the book. I don't think you really have to prep for it if you have a really basic understanding of metaphysics.
Joe Sabet
I’d suggest Kant’s Prolegomena, and there’s his Barnes and Noble intro to logic. Both are around or less than a hundred pages. I wouldn’t first jump to Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason. That’s insane. Schop’s PSR book is essential too
Erjon 7
In fact Schopenhauer starts his Philosophy where Kant left it, so on 'the thing in itself' But you don't need to read Kant first to read the "World as will and rapresantation" MAybe you just have to know Kant's main ideas but that's all.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more