I wonder whose legacy will live longer. This nameless fool who will be forgotten by all but family or the man who he chose to scathingly attack in this moronic lecture.
I have read Schopenhauer’s _World as Will and Representation_ as well as _Parerga and Paralipomena_ and _Essays and Aphorisms,_ and I think Sugrue mischaracterizes Schopenhauer as extremely bitter or sad. It makes me wonder if he has even read Schopenhauer. When I read him, Schopenhauer comes off incredibly honest, objective, and unafraid to acknowledge uncomfortable facts about our existence. Is he always correct? No, not in my opinion. But I don’t think Sugrue or academic philosophers in general have given Schopenhauer his fair due.
@@CrazyLinguiniLegs I was surprised that he poisoned the well against him so early in his lecture. I have yet to take on Schopenhauer so I cannot really defend him, although most other lectures I’ve heard about him are more enthusiastic. It still interesting to hear Sugrue’s two cents on him even though the admiration isn’t fully there. I’ve recently went through some videos of Bernardo Kastrup discussing Schopenhauer and it’s like an entirely different philosopher is being discussed.
@@robsamartino71 yes, in my opinion Schopenhauer is well worth the time. I appreciate Sugrue’s videos, but it was a big turnoff to see him come out bashing Schopenhauer-“Is it a philosophy at all? Let’s call it a metaphysics of hell”-utter nonsense. There is some good Schopenhauer material on other youtube channels, for instance “Eternalised” and “Weltgeist”. And as you mentioned there is the Kastrup material.
When I first encountered Schopenhauer I tought he was a miserable weirdo, an unhappy old fox shouting to the world that life is sour grapes. 10 years later, as I enter my 40s with the fruitless angst of youth behind me, I see where he was coming from. So much of activity in our world arises from wants and lust that seem irresistibly seductive but ultimately fail to reward or fulfill. I do wonder from time to time whether Mother Nature has programmed us to chase futile hopes and mirages just so we will live long enough to reproduce the next generation of fools that will repeat another round of the mad dance.
In the Quran it says that God creates life and death to test us and see which of us is better in deeds. Perhaps the dancing is inevitable and we’re monitors to see how much we deviate from the steps that lead to individual and collective harmony ?
the difference between you and Schop is that you type this sentiment 'Mother Nature has programmed us to chase futile hopes and mirages just so we will live long enough to reproduce the next generation of fools' to a web server from your computer in the age of scientific postmodernity wherein it's a banality, Rick & Morty etc. - whereas Schop illuminated this vision of existence before Darwin even theorised natural selection
That is precisely what Schopenhauer said in his "Essays" about the crude, natural states of mind which characterise youth. With living experience comes wisdom, if we are sincere enough to look at ourselves and life with a dispassionate eye.
@@clockywork ur not up to date if you think you can make a statement like that. Historians have come around and recognize early Islamic history, Muhammad’s life and what the Quran is. Unfortunately people just adopt a view and that’s all they come to know. But no reason to really learn more because surely you got a life to live and a depraved economy to endure 💙
As long as the psychological mindset exist in 1 person or 10 or 10000 @@TravelingPhilosopher. As long as it exist and is real and tangible something that most humans can understand then it is WORTH LISTENING. No matter how bad or depressive it is. Schopenhauer was indeed ahead of its time. People don't want to look at the worst of life and always find reasons to jump and laugh at next best marry thing. Doesn't mean the real ugliness of the world doesn't exist.
Dr. Sugrue reminds me of one of those professors who speaks so clearly and concisely that I genuinely enjoy going to their classes, even if I have almost no previous interest in the topic. Thank you so much for posting these videos. And please keep uploading more lectures! I genuinely enjoy listening to them.
I definitely understand what you're saying and 100 percent agree, but I found the more I viewed it the more I became interested in the subject itself. Like hearing philosophical lectures through (for example) his Christian lectures would have been a big NOPE from me when I was younger. Not so much anymore Plus he is so damn passionate about the topics discussed that I can't help but feel excited as well! Sometimes I have this on the background while reading another book, ADD lol, or going to sleep, and I swear I feel sharper than I have in a long time. Daily exercise, a good diet, and a good intellectual diet from professors like Dr Sugrue to make you hungry for more knowledge! Professor, I know you probably aren't reading this, I'm just a young man with no degree, but I have never been more interested in these subjects as I have gotten to be this year! 🙏
What was said of Oscar Wilde could be said of Dr. Sugre. 'I never before heard a man talking with perfect sentences, as if he had written them all overnight with labour and yet all spontaneous.'
I have heard all of the other old lectures and in fact rewarched them so often that I know them a little too well. Being able to listen to a new one is a treat. Thank you very much!
I am a great admirer of Sugrue, and love all of his lectures in this series. They are truly wonderful! I must, however, offer a counter position with regard to his approach to Schopenhauer. Schopenhauer is pessimistic, yes, but he is not horrible and scary. Also, I would absolutely recommend to anyone to begin their study of this fascinating and engaging philosopher directly with « The World as Will and Idea . » You will get his passion, erudition, and mastery of philosophy and language in a clear, straightforward way. Why bother starting with anything else? Also, briefly, Schopenhauer concludes profoundly and humanely that compassion is the proper attitude toward the harshness of the world. I think this call for compassion is so meaningful, and is something we would all do well to keep in mind. We all suffer, so let’s have compassion for what others go through.
Schopenhauer himself recommends us to read his earlier works like the four roots of sufficient reason, otherwise “leave this book as a decoration in your bookshelf” hahaha
@@martiniqi8425 well, if you want to start with “The Fourfold Root,” be my guest, but to me the “World as Will and Representation” is a much better entry point.
So ironic, because in spite of everything, Schopenhauer enjoyed life, especially the arts, including obviously music, the theatre, literature and philosophy (except for Hegel!). He loved the pub. On occasion, he "loved" women. He loved food prepared by someone else, and good conversation. He thought the English were the "most intelligent race." Goethe said he "will out-do all of us," and he was right. Amazing, courageous man, no saint, but very few are. Thank you Michael Sugrue and thank you for keeping on keeping on.
Schopenhauer's insights are so freeing. It's sort of a rock bottom positioning, "I expected it to be this bad and it is, so all I can do now is laugh!"
Yes, pessimism is strangely comforting. I got this feeling first from reading Edgar Allan Poe. Just read Schopenhauer’s essays and now contemplating reading the world as will and representation.
This is biased from the beginning. He was not a “one-trick pony,” and his ideas are not “unpleasant” or “off-putting.” He combined Kant’s transcendental idealism with eastern philosophy, and wrote in a lovely, clear prose, unlike 99 percent of philosophers. He was an artist who understood the value of art. There’s a reason Tolstoy said he spent an amazing summer reading The World as Will and Representation.
Also, not mentioned: Schopenhauer wrote his magnum opus in his 20s and never swayed. He was a man who had an idea, and it never wavered, all the way to the grave.
He was also a promoter of peace, which was not mentioned. He thought that doing others wrong was the same as doing wrong to yourself, because we’re all part of the same, larger, combined will. This was a terrible analysis. Open book 2 of The World as Will and Representation (skip book 1), and see for yourself.
Yeah, I always thought Schopenhauer’s philosophy was rather comforting. It’s like he’s saying “We’re all suffering together so let’s try not to make it worse for each other.” It brings about a sort of kinship. The idea of the Will is truly brilliant and insightful, a very interesting response to Kant. Though I side more with Nietzsche in thinking that life is awesome and we should treasure it and also not demonize our desires. Dr. Sugrue seems to have a particular distaste for Schopenhauer which is understandable given all his other deficits, like misogyny. But it does us well to appreciate the good in things.
I heard Michael for the first time about a year ago. The impact on me was so profound that I immediately bought all of Nietzsche's works. Now, I need to read Nietzsche every day. As a piano teacher, it has made me so much better. Michael will always be an absolute idol for me. Thank you, dear master, wherever you are.
A great lecture with humour injected in. Just to mention that I find Schopenhauer's pessimism soothing and comforting. Also: Nietzsche rejected much of Schopenhauer's pessimistic teachings in the late 1800s. Nietzsche considered Schopenhauer a "decadent" - meaning someone in a state of decay. In fact, Nietzsche wanted us to embrace life and say yes to life - quite the opposite of Schopenhauer. Many thanks again for a wonderful and enjoyable lecture, Michael.
@@saintsword23 yes, and people take what he wrote at that time to be the sum of his person. Nietzsche was writing more than his worth early on as he was already a professor at age 24.
Yep. Schopenhauer was really the first to say, "Life Sucks". And he was right. As for Nietzsche if you actually read his works he seems to spit on much of life.
@@dusankrajci6270 Or you could spend copious amounts of time-space orienting your mind in meditation, contemplation, and -- get this -- prayer. You might personally benefit from chanting (repetitive). There can be no short cuts to genuine enlightenment. Carefully open the gate. Crash it not. I promise you I have had revelations thar made the whole known world vanish from known existence. The second one was as a result of doing the daily workbook lessons of A Course In Miracles! Author: Jesus. Peace to you brother.
Rest In Peace Dr Sugrue. Thank you for your diligence and care. You conquered yourself and in turn shared your great mind with the world. A true master of the art of oration and explanation, you saved us many hours of rehashing texts and troubled speculations.😁 You lived atop mountains. May you rest amongst waves of the cosmic tide, finality in gnosis and ultimate solace. Enjoy the ride. 🙏🏼
Thank you for the lecture. Schopenhauer is fun :) I will say, as a Buddhist convert, I did cringe a little bit at the slight conflation of ideas regarding the Noble Truths. It is an honest and easy mistake to make, though, especially as one looking from the outside in at Buddhism. The "Eight noble truths" are actually the Four Noble Truths and they are (In a simplified way) 1: Suffering - Life (the Human condition) is suffering and it is defined by both pain and the chronic inability to be satisfied. 2: Desire or Attachment - That suffering arises from human desires and attachments to transient things (For example, the fear of death and aging are born of attachments to life and youthful vitality, respectively) 3: Cessation - That you can be liberated from suffering by limiting or renouncing Desires and Attachments. 4: The Noble Eightfold Path - That you can follow the Noble Eightfold Path (a topic in itself, to summarize: basically being responsible with your life, being mindfully attentive to the present, practicing meditation, and adopting and fostering "right views" about the nature of and your relationship to reality) It should also be noted that it is a bit of a misperception to consider Buddhist practices and teachings as strictly ascetic and hopelessly pessimistic. Buddhism is called "The Middle Way" as it discourages the extremes of sensual pleasure-seeking AND extreme asceticism. A sort of wise moderation on most things in life is encouraged by many branches of Buddhism. As far as being pessimistic is concerned: Suffering is a reality of the human condition, but the point of Buddhist practice (especially in Mahayana Buddhism) is to overcome suffering so that one can experience Nirvana in this life and live and happy and fulfilled life.
@@Andre-bi3gq First and foremost I'd recommend listening to some of the lectures by Alan Watts (you can find many of his lectures for free on RUclips). He is a British Zen Buddhist, and comes at Buddhism (and Hinduism) more from the direction of western philosophy. That was my own introduction, he brings things down to earth in an easily digestible way (and he is pleasant to listen to). For looking into Buddhism itself more directly, one must keep in mind that there are two drastically divergent branches, each of which have their own texts and spin on practices. The first branch is "Theravada" or "School of the Elders" and it is the more traditionalist form of Buddhism. Its main text is the "Pali Canon". This branch tends to cleave a bit more closely to the letter of the specific teachings laid down in the earliest Buddhist traditions. From what I understand, it tends to be a bit more methodologically focused, with diligent practice of the many specific teachings leading to a sort of ordered gradual enlightenment over many years of practice. The "Mindfulness" movements that have sprung up in the west are more directly descended from this branch of Buddhism. The second (and beyond, as this branch splits off in numerous directions) branch is called "Mahayana" or "The Great Vehicle", and it is a later development that diverges from some of the older doctrines. It doesn't have a "main text" per se, but its refutation of earlier forms of Buddhism is laid out in its early texts like "The Lotus Sutra" (which I wouldn't recommend getting into unless you are deeply into the scholarship. It almost exclusively concerned with countering and putting down the earlier Buddhist tradition and is otherwise a rather repetitive and dry affair). Mahayana focuses a little more on the Metaphysics of nonduality and Anatman (no Self), and how an understanding of those underlying concepts and their implications can be a path to enlightenment and Nirvana in this life. It also focuses on the "Bodhisattva vehicle", which is a path that focuses on ultimately becoming a Buddha, so that one can liberate all sentient beings from suffering. Tibetan Buddhism and Zen (which I personally follow) spring from this branch, and their paths are drastically different from one another. If you'd like an introduction to Mahayana concepts I'd encourage reading The Diamond Sutra and The Heart Sutra. They are both extremely short but get straight to the point, and do so quite eloquently. I know I rambled on a bit, but I hope that helps :)
@@shaunkerr8721 It varies in different schools of Buddhism. Some schools emphasize a stricter interpretation of the Eightfold Path than others, especially if you have taken vows and are a part of a monastery. The story goes that Siddhartha Gautama (the founder of Buddhism) initially abandoned the life of a decadent prince after having something of an existential crisis and pursued a spiritual path that led to self-mortification. There are stories of him eating only a single grain of rice a day in his ascetic pursuits and that his bones were visible under his skin due to how emaciated he had become. He then realized that this wasn't the true path, so he abandoned his ascetic discipline, accepting a generous offer of rice pudding from a passing village girl, leading to his fellow ascetics becoming scandalized by his lack of discipline and initially abandoning him. It was shortly after this that he meditated beneath the Bodhi tree for a time until he attained full enlightenment. So, instead of extreme ascetic self-denial, the Eightfold path emphasizes something more akin to healthy living advice, and even in the path itself there can be a bit of ambiguity and interpretation. Speaking from Zen, I've watched a few Zen initiation ceremonies (at a Zen school in America, so it is less intense and monastery focused), and they are always rather fascinating. After the initiates take their vows, the teacher then clarifies some of the vows and encourages the initiates to use the Eightfold path as a sort of primer for introspection instead of hard rules with the line "We observe the precepts through breaking them". For example, there is a precept to avoid intoxicating substances... But what defines an intoxicating substance is open to interpretation (as even abstract things like pride can be intoxicating from a certain perspective). The teacher then lightly commented that the point is to avoid being intoxicated to the point that there is a hangover (in other words, that the point of avoiding intoxicating substances is to avoid the consequences you can experience from consuming intoxicating substances, it is not just an arbitrary rule that has to be followed for its own sake). The way I see Zen, ascetic practices are done solely to aid one in developing healthy self-control and a healthier perspective on life. If the practices begin to cause unnecessary pain or are otherwise pointlessly arbitrary and inappropriate, then they should be abandoned or limited, as ultimately the point is to live a happier life.
There are many different ways of interpreting the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, what you listed is just your way (or your teacher’s way) of interpreting them.
@@PreludeDude I would pay for either hard copies or a digital archive of the full, organized set. These lectures are amazing. I just wish I could find a a complete and chronologically-/topically- ordered archive so I can use them to study and build up an organized and comprehensive understanding.
Literally this is a part of this moment of my life when I have the chance to consume this content and it helps me with so many things! Like improve my English, professor Sugrue I love this content and I can’t get enough
Schopenhauer is one of my favorite philosophers. He is brilliant, innovative, insightful and original. Readers often miss his wonderful sense of humor. I often find myself in stiches as I come upon his wry and witty remarks. Kant puts me to sleep. Schopenhauer wakes me up and keeps me laughing. He would have been a wonderful standup comedian. I like the way Sugrue comments about Schopenhauer's influence on Freud. I wish he talked more about Schopenhauer's influence on modern physics, especially Einstein's theory of relativity and the whole field of Quantum Physics.
@@ErnestRamaj it absolutely is! That's his best lecture, so much passion! You'd almost think he's a fanatic. I just decided to comment what I did here instead for some reason.
@@destihado1 If the privilege you're talking about is my 25 years of education, let me put your mind at ease. I've learnt more from free lectures and podcasts on RUclips than any class throughout two decades of education. If you can't go to University for any reason, don't worry. Many great Professors upload their lectures to RUclips for free (such as this great man). The only real advantage of a University is meeting like minded people, and getting certain jobs that require a degree (although that's going away as well).
This lecture couldn't be any more timely; I've just started reading the World As Will And Idea, and Dr. Sugrue is really helping to clear up my confusion on Schopenhauer's metaphysics!
I'd say Dr. Sugrue's reading is excellent but a bit bias towards the dark side of Schopenhauer's writings. I consider his complete works (after having read them) to be a monumental set of ideas full of living force (not exactly pessimistic).
@@OpenmusicEs where there is a dark aspect to Schopenhauer there is also a revelation - questions that arise after reading his book and answers. Such as inspirations, rationale, temperament, and also Schopenhauer will and representation really has a great psychological aspect.
"The world is not a piece of machinery and animals are not manufactured for our use. Such views should be left to synagogues and philosophical lecture-rooms, which in essence are not so very different." - Arthur Schopenhauer
This is a professor, someone who makes you think, peaks clearly, you learn, you feel like you must look for more information and makes you seek knowledge not make it a task, he makes knowledge seen like a necesity of human existence which it is, school only tells you you must learn in order to do this, philosophy makes you want to know the world and comprehend it better, its a way of life.
I think what is necessary to understand Shopenhaur is empathy. I remember studying cognitive behavioural therapy, Buddhism and some Hinduism to try and alleviate my severe depression. Can you imagine being hopelessly locked in the finite and struggling to understand text written by people who are writing from the perspective of the other end of a binary, they are completely immersed in the infinite. The self is an illusion. Then I found Stoicism. Imagine then that the Universe throws you a lifeline, it speaks to you and you have to make a choice, the aesthetic man or the virtuous man. This is what Kierkegaard described as the dizzy heights of freedom because it takes great courage to leave all that you have and throw yourself into the abyss. It would of course be only natural to question your sanity and this is where Reason and faith entwine. " The objective of life is to escape from the side of the majority and find yourself comfortably amongst the ranks of the insane" - Marcus Aurelius. Then once you throw yourself into the abyss you find out what it means to stay present because you have to engage with your reality in the present moment in order to survive, a primary basic instinct, the will to live. As rational social beings we strive for connection, but when you are of a certain intellect you find the company of the majority barely tolerable, so escape from the finite is achieved through substance abuse, altered states, " sometimes an intelligent man has to drink so he can spend some time with his fools" - Hemingway. If you contemplate your conceptual experiences, suffering is an opportunity for growth and development. The Universe will teach you, all you have to do is pay attention. When you reach a certain understanding of Nature, you find yourself in the same position as Dostoyevsky, right on the dividing line. But for this you have to establish new values and be willing to re-define your morality. If you don't and instead impose your morality on Nature all understanding will be over and you will go insane, lost in the abyss, like Nietzsche. Because we are a culmination of the evolutionary process we have instinctual drives, the will to live, not only exist, live, the will to procreate, the will to power and the instinctual drive for pleasure. I used to think Stoicism was about overcoming these instinctual drives but it's not, it's about controlling them, learning how to use them virtuously. As Nietzsche said the organising idea reveals itself and all your actions are directed towards that. You do not avoid pain or seek pleasure, that's from the Bhagavad-Gita. Shopenhaur tried to adhere to Buddhist doctrines and turned sour on women, an alter ego, but he couldn't control the will to power, he went directly head on competing with Hegel. Trying to control his desires and aversions I'm sure caused him much frustration but it was due to a lack of understanding. I have little to no time for passive fatalism, just accepting will go as they must ,is relinquishing what is within our control. If you bring a car to a garage to increase its performance, the garage can't do much if it doesn't understand the engine.
So it's essentially take the hint that things have to change if you're at odds with nature and use Stoic dichotomy of control/virtues/meditation of you'll be an another fool discarded by natural selection? Take whatever window of control you're given by mother nature and environment or else return to nothingness philosophically and or physically? Sounds absolutely brutal and kinda passionless (unless I'm misunderstanding Stoics). Is the solution purely something like Serenity prayer?
What an amazing lecture, which really shouldn't come as a surprise considering Professor Sugrue's track record. I really love how he is able to connect great philosophical thinkers together whilst providing context for how they relate to (and are different from) each other. After watching this I am definitely going to revisit the Freud and Nietzsche lectures again.
Yeah it’s been very cool to see how all the pieces fit together. There are so many philosophers with so many works, it’s often easy to miss the contexts in which they were written. Dr. Sugrue is doing us a great service by painting a cohesive picture.
Thanks for talking about a German philosopher who seems all too often avoided in today's universities. You need to give Arthur Schopenhauer more credit. His influence was immense, e.g. on Leo Tolstoy or Oswald Spengler. Nietzsche called him his teacher, whom you can surely trust . Maybe he was not just negative, but right? "Du kannst tun was du willst, aber nicht wollen was du willst." Schopenhauer was onto something, interpreting das Ding an sich as will, but the will is untouchable, unknowable. And, did you mention his curse against the Verhunzung of the German language? How true it is today.
These are great videos. I wish Bob Solomon was still alive. He produced great lectures with the same video company. I wish they were preserved on youtube in the same way Dr Sugrue has been doing
Was surprised to find the judgment and opinion about Schopenhauer- have just found Dr. Segrue and have been amazed at the clarity and help he offers in meeting philosophy so late in my life. This one is different - de doesn’t seem to find compassion for this philosopher so as to offer a cleaner perspective. It feels a bit like it hit a fear in him with no way out. Will continue to learn more as Dr. Sugrue has so much to share. Thank you.
It's so beautiful that Schopenhauer was this perfectly sour complement to Hegel. I am reaching enlightenment via Schopenhauer-Hegelian model, reporting back influenced by modern western Hindu-Buddhist gurus. The real 'I' is the Absolute; this egoic self is merely a whirlwind of ... will. ... Hell is confusing the latter for the prior... This lecture is truly pinnacle of reality, thanks so much Sugrue
I find Schopenhauer to be a warm, engaging and compassionate philosopher. I don’t understand this negativity in the introduction. Normally I appreciate Sugrue’s lectures.
This is one of the best lectures on philosophical subjects i have ever seen. He explains the topics clearly and eloquently yet doesn't needlessly convolute things all the while not dumbing anything down. This should be mandatory viewing for any would be lecturer in all subjects.
I met a lad once who was balls deep into Buddhism. He knew all the Upanishads and all the theory. I had a great discussion with him for two or three days comparing Buddhism and Stoicism. But then he was telling me a story of how his mother was on her last legs and how his sister started labelling home appliances and furniture with her name. He told me how much it infuriated him and how he had to get financial support to fight a lengthy legal battle with his siblings in the wake of his mothers passing. I sat there listening to him thinking "where the fuck was all the Buddhism? "
@@lifeisabadjoke5750 or begins, or perhaps ought to begin. I made a video called "death to all infidels" but I'm being obstructed from posting it, for a good reason I'm sure. I think it actually goes "death to all idolators", if we agree that money and the golden calf are the same thing, who are they?
Thanks for the lectures man. All the other lectures are in one ear out the other. But i actually remember and am easily able to conceptualize everything you say. It’s a miracle!
Thank you oh so much for for these uploads, just came across them and I'm very glad I clicked the suggested video. Thank you for your time, effort and good intentions, greetings from Chile
The old Judeo-Christian trick: when you agree with the philosopher, elevate his ideas; when you disagree, explain it away by blaming his personality and upbringing.
Christianity falls apart whenever it encounters suffering or one who refuses to suffer in slience. Plenty of people intuitively understand this and that's why it's in decline.
Are you high? Christianity is one of the best antidotes to suffering. Even if it’s not correct it makes suffering an adventure in morality Atheist materialism reduces suffering to blind mindless occurrences that are in complete chaos and indifference. How is that more comforting?
@@deanmccrorie3461 now, I have a great admiration for Christianity and I do believe it's a genuinely hopeful and wholesome faith. But if we go back to the foundation in Job- if you suffer under Yahweh's watch your only recourse is: "trust the plan". Now, I'm open for any wrestling on that point. But, at least in the west. Theres a reason that church pews are going empty. Even these revival movements you see in young men, they're really just reactionaries more than they are true believers.
@@deanmccrorie3461 "Christianity is one of the best antidotes to suffering." I really do not know what to make of this. Are you saying the entire Christian western world suffers less than every Buddhist on the planet? Speak to a Buddhist... you will notice that the opposite is true.
@@Henchgirl7342 Give it time. Its reactionary because people are waking up to the reality of Sodom and Gmorah. I mean for pete sake Discovery plus just released a show about trans kids dressing in drag themed stripper outfits in front of adult audiences. Sick times Also other realities are hard to explore as materialism is still a very deep seated assumption we subconsciously carry. I still certainly do Youll see. Many more will turn to Jordan Peterson and more hopefully to Jung, And then naturally to Christ or at the very least buddha and others
this was incredibly insightful what a beautiful way of thinking of consciousness his thoughts show an inverse vacuum of what it means to be a sentient being
Post nomadic, Post agricultural, Post Civilization, Post industrialization, Post modern all have the same thing in common. To overcome and improve some aspect or all aspects of the human condition. Positivity would inevitably kill the spirit as boredom or literally a dead end. Therefore negativity has been the driving force behind human achievement. The Will, or intentionality as a representation. Mysticism keeps us intrigued and motivated to look beyond the possibilities to avoid contextualized progress and complacency. So innate is our life and death drive that we self sabotage to maintain the will to live. Nihilism is but a temporary state. The anxiety will inevitably stir things up again .
I have read Schopenhauer’s _World as Will and Representation_ as well as _Parerga and Paralipomena_ and _Essays and Aphorisms,_ and I think Sugrue mischaracterizes Schopenhauer as extremely bitter or sad. It makes me wonder if he has even read Schopenhauer. When I read him, Schopenhauer comes off incredibly honest, objective, and unafraid to acknowledge uncomfortable facts about our existence. Is he always correct? No, not in my opinion. But I don’t think Sugrue or academic philosophers in general have given Schopenhauer his fair due. And it’s their loss, because Schopenhauer is a rigorous thinker as well as an excellent and entertaining writer.
Despite not having read any Schopenhauer myself, I also come away from this lecture with the strong impression that Sugrue is a little out of his depth here, but it's hard to sort out how much of what Sugrue is saying represents his own misconceptions and biases and how much of it is right there in Schopenhauer's writings. For example, Sugrue mangles basic Buddhist concepts pretty badly. There are four noble truths and eight factors of the path, and only the first of the noble truths is entirely concerned with suffering per se. Sugrue on the other hand refers to "eight truths" and incorrectly associates each truth with some different aspect of suffering. Does Schopenhauer get Buddhism wrong at this basic level as well? More tellingly, Sugrue seems to understand the overall gist of the Buddha's teachings as pointing to the extinction of desire, but Sugrue seems to feel that this is a hopelessly grim and nihilistic undertaking. Millions of Buddhists would beg to differ, but in any case, is such an attitude right there in Schopenhauer's writing or is it purely coming from Sugrue's interpretations?
@@andrewyancy8639 I think it’s Sugrue’s misunderstanding. Buddhism gets labeled “pessimistic” and/or “nihilistic” because of its scathing review of the world as we know and experience it; but ultimately Buddhism is extremely optimistic, as it is based on the idea that we can escape the suffering of the world as we know it and awaken into nirvana-a state free of suffering, a state that no language is adequate to represent but which (according to Buddhism) is attainable. Schopenhauer does not discuss Buddhism directly much, nor does he rely on it. But just like the Buddha, Schopenhauer suggests that there is another reality we can “achieve” (for lack of a better word) by recognizing the oneness of the reality behind all the various forms of life and by denying our own personal will and living as ascetically as possible. Now, Schopenhauer does not say that our personal consciousness/individuality survives post mortem to enjoy this other reality, but I’m not sure Buddha says so either. Either way, both Buddha and Schopenhauer are pessimistic about the world and the value of worldly pursuits in and of themselves, but optimistic about the potential to transcend all of this and attain a state free of suffering.
Agreed! And I also feel Sugrue really has a dark and negative view of buddhism and the noble 8 fold path. I feel it is will that can alleviate us from the illusion of suffering, as suffering is a choice.
His introduction on Schopenhauer’s background, as a prelude, struck me as the nitty-gritty of the whole will-to-exist, as essentially tragic, but as Dr. Michael Sugrue continues, I am quite impressed by the appalling lucidity, wit and brilliant explanation of such complicated abstract concepts to peeling off the different layers between subject and object! That’s brilliancy on equal terms with Arthur Schopenhauer! His intellectual power and stunning erudition to blending-in so many different philosophers and endless analogies are remarkable, extraordinary and delightful to a very high degree. To the say that the thing in itself, noumena, is an insaciable blind will-to-exist, is one of the scariest things ever discovered. I have always thought that God was the true author of this best of all possible worlds? At any event, thanks for posting this video!
10:30 A sidenote: as a german native speaker, "idea" strikes me as a weird translation for "Vorstellung". I haven't actually read Schopenhauer, so I don't know whether the term was very context dependent, but a more accurate translation for Vorstellung would be "imagination", or an imagined thing, an illusion. This also seems to make sense considering Schopenhauer's access to indian philosophy, where the human condition is described as Maya, which I've been told is also a sort of term for illusion.
Danke. This is a big problem with translation. I’ve also seen the title translated as “representation.” How does that sound? Often these German phrases are translated without linguistic reflection.
Thoroughly enjoyed this lecture. The disdain of Dr Sugrue was entertaining, but it didn't stop me from liking Schaupenhauer's ideas, perhaps because I have read about Hinduism and Buddhism and his ideas never appeared bizarre to me. Disagreeable in some respects, but there is no denial what a great teacher Dr Sugrue is. Yet another classic!
It is the 4 Noble truths; and the 8 fold path. He said several times the 8 noble truths. The first time he said it, I thought he just misspoke. The second time and third time he said it, I knew he was in error. Brilliant man though.
There are four noble truths in Buddhism, not eight. With that aside, Sugrue does a very good job, as usual. He provides maybe the best synopses of Western Philosophies available.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
RIP Dr. Sugrue. You will live on through your teaching .
So many other people I can think of that I would have rather died than him… like my father… ha ha ha
@@room9podcast Your mother and I are working on it.
damn. didn't know he is dead. RIP
Yeah
I wonder whose legacy will live longer. This nameless fool who will be forgotten by all but family or the man who he chose to scathingly attack in this moronic lecture.
Sugrue’s attitude towards Schopenhauer seems to match Schopenhauer’s attitude towards life
I have read Schopenhauer’s _World as Will and Representation_ as well as _Parerga and Paralipomena_ and _Essays and Aphorisms,_ and I think Sugrue mischaracterizes Schopenhauer as extremely bitter or sad. It makes me wonder if he has even read Schopenhauer. When I read him, Schopenhauer comes off incredibly honest, objective, and unafraid to acknowledge uncomfortable facts about our existence. Is he always correct? No, not in my opinion. But I don’t think Sugrue or academic philosophers in general have given Schopenhauer his fair due.
@@CrazyLinguiniLegs I was surprised that he poisoned the well against him so early in his lecture. I have yet to take on Schopenhauer so I cannot really defend him, although most other lectures I’ve heard about him are more enthusiastic. It still interesting to hear Sugrue’s two cents on him even though the admiration isn’t fully there. I’ve recently went through some videos of Bernardo Kastrup discussing Schopenhauer and it’s like an entirely different philosopher is being discussed.
@@robsamartino71 yes, in my opinion Schopenhauer is well worth the time. I appreciate Sugrue’s videos, but it was a big turnoff to see him come out bashing Schopenhauer-“Is it a philosophy at all? Let’s call it a metaphysics of hell”-utter nonsense. There is some good Schopenhauer material on other youtube channels, for instance “Eternalised” and “Weltgeist”. And as you mentioned there is the Kastrup material.
@@robsamartino71 also I believe Bryan Magee’s videos are still on youtube.
@@CrazyLinguiniLegs can’t get enough of Bryan Magee
When I first encountered Schopenhauer I tought he was a miserable weirdo, an unhappy old fox shouting to the world that life is sour grapes. 10 years later, as I enter my 40s with the fruitless angst of youth behind me, I see where he was coming from. So much of activity in our world arises from wants and lust that seem irresistibly seductive but ultimately fail to reward or fulfill. I do wonder from time to time whether Mother Nature has programmed us to chase futile hopes and mirages just so we will live long enough to reproduce the next generation of fools that will repeat another round of the mad dance.
In the Quran it says that God creates life and death to test us and see which of us is better in deeds. Perhaps the dancing is inevitable and we’re monitors to see how much we deviate from the steps that lead to individual and collective harmony ?
the difference between you and Schop is that you type this sentiment 'Mother Nature has programmed us to chase futile hopes and mirages just so we will live long enough to reproduce the next generation of fools' to a web server from your computer in the age of scientific postmodernity wherein it's a banality, Rick & Morty etc. - whereas Schop illuminated this vision of existence before Darwin even theorised natural selection
That is precisely what Schopenhauer said in his "Essays" about the crude, natural states of mind which characterise youth. With living experience comes wisdom, if we are sincere enough to look at ourselves and life with a dispassionate eye.
@@odetoazam the Quran is fiction, my friend.
@@clockywork ur not up to date if you think you can make a statement like that. Historians have come around and recognize early Islamic history, Muhammad’s life and what the Quran is. Unfortunately people just adopt a view and that’s all they come to know. But no reason to really learn more because surely you got a life to live and a depraved economy to endure 💙
“He’s performed the unusual service of sharing his unhappiness with us” I am honored to have access to your linguistic conceptual illustrations.
That also describes comedians like George Carlin.
The the amount of vocabulary i’ve picked up from Dr. Sugrue’s lectures alone is ineffable.
They are cool
"For the purposes of discussion, let's consider it the metaphysics from hell."
@DickEnchilada if he were with us today guaranteed he’d be a SoundCloud rapper
He had the courage to explore the misery of life, makes no excuses or the need to make people feel positive
American optimism is antithetical to Schopenhauer
Yes, he even says if you want sweet platitudes go to street philosophers who will tell you what you want to hear for pay.
Or maybe he also had an ideological attachment to pessimism due to his psychological state
As long as the psychological mindset exist in 1 person or 10 or 10000 @@TravelingPhilosopher. As long as it exist and is real and tangible something that most humans can understand then it is WORTH LISTENING. No matter how bad or depressive it is. Schopenhauer was indeed ahead of its time. People don't want to look at the worst of life and always find reasons to jump and laugh at next best marry thing. Doesn't mean the real ugliness of the world doesn't exist.
Dr. Sugrue reminds me of one of those professors who speaks so clearly and concisely that I genuinely enjoy going to their classes, even if I have almost no previous interest in the topic.
Thank you so much for posting these videos. And please keep uploading more lectures! I genuinely enjoy listening to them.
Me, too.
I definitely understand what you're saying and 100 percent agree, but I found the more I viewed it the more I became interested in the subject itself. Like hearing philosophical lectures through (for example) his Christian lectures would have been a big NOPE from me when I was younger. Not so much anymore
Plus he is so damn passionate about the topics discussed that I can't help but feel excited as well! Sometimes I have this on the background while reading another book, ADD lol, or going to sleep, and I swear I feel sharper than I have in a long time.
Daily exercise, a good diet, and a good intellectual diet from professors like Dr Sugrue to make you hungry for more knowledge!
Professor, I know you probably aren't reading this, I'm just a young man with no degree, but I have never been more interested in these subjects as I have gotten to be this year! 🙏
What was said of Oscar Wilde could be said of Dr. Sugre. 'I never before heard a man talking with perfect sentences, as if he had written them all overnight with labour and yet all spontaneous.'
I have heard all of the other old lectures and in fact rewarched them so often that I know them a little too well. Being able to listen to a new one is a treat. Thank you very much!
I've watched his Heidegger lecture on Being and Time probably ten times. My favourite!
I am a great admirer of Sugrue, and love all of his lectures in this series. They are truly wonderful! I must, however, offer a counter position with regard to his approach to Schopenhauer. Schopenhauer is pessimistic, yes, but he is not horrible and scary. Also, I would absolutely recommend to anyone to begin their study of this fascinating and engaging philosopher directly with « The World as Will and Idea . » You will get his passion, erudition, and mastery of philosophy and language in a clear, straightforward way. Why bother starting with anything else? Also, briefly, Schopenhauer concludes profoundly and humanely that compassion is the proper attitude toward the harshness of the world. I think this call for compassion is so meaningful, and is something we would all do well to keep in mind. We all suffer, so let’s have compassion for what others go through.
Schopenhauer himself recommends us to read his earlier works like the four roots of sufficient reason, otherwise “leave this book as a decoration in your bookshelf” hahaha
@@VanMan83 how come
@@martiniqi8425 well, if you want to start with “The Fourfold Root,” be my guest, but to me the “World as Will and Representation” is a much better entry point.
@@VanMan83 yes he was. He was unfair toward them, unfortunately. He was pretty cantankerous and ornery! 😊
@@geoycs I agree to that, its kinda hard to understand it without a base though
So ironic, because in spite of everything, Schopenhauer enjoyed life, especially the arts, including obviously music, the theatre, literature and philosophy (except for Hegel!). He loved the pub. On occasion, he "loved" women. He loved food prepared by someone else, and good conversation. He thought the English were the "most intelligent race." Goethe said he "will out-do all of us," and he was right. Amazing, courageous man, no saint, but very few are. Thank you Michael Sugrue and thank you for keeping on keeping on.
Schopenhauer's insights are so freeing. It's sort of a rock bottom positioning, "I expected it to be this bad and it is, so all I can do now is laugh!"
Try Samuel Beckett for more of such belly laughs.
So he invented "So bad, it's good"
Yes, pessimism is strangely comforting. I got this feeling first from reading Edgar Allan Poe. Just read Schopenhauer’s essays and now contemplating reading the world as will and representation.
Post nut clarity
This is biased from the beginning. He was not a “one-trick pony,” and his ideas are not “unpleasant” or “off-putting.” He combined Kant’s transcendental idealism with eastern philosophy, and wrote in a lovely, clear prose, unlike 99 percent of philosophers. He was an artist who understood the value of art. There’s a reason Tolstoy said he spent an amazing summer reading The World as Will and Representation.
Also, not mentioned: Schopenhauer wrote his magnum opus in his 20s and never swayed. He was a man who had an idea, and it never wavered, all the way to the grave.
He was also a promoter of peace, which was not mentioned. He thought that doing others wrong was the same as doing wrong to yourself, because we’re all part of the same, larger, combined will. This was a terrible analysis. Open book 2 of The World as Will and Representation (skip book 1), and see for yourself.
Yeah, I always thought Schopenhauer’s philosophy was rather comforting. It’s like he’s saying “We’re all suffering together so let’s try not to make it worse for each other.” It brings about a sort of kinship. The idea of the Will is truly brilliant and insightful, a very interesting response to Kant. Though I side more with Nietzsche in thinking that life is awesome and we should treasure it and also not demonize our desires.
Dr. Sugrue seems to have a particular distaste for Schopenhauer which is understandable given all his other deficits, like misogyny. But it does us well to appreciate the good in things.
I think we have to cut the him some slack. He's a university professor
Someone like Marx might call it a class interest
That’s an understatement, he is a brilliant lecturer but seems to have a virulent personal dislike to Schopenhauer.
Schopenhauer spent his afternoons playing music and his evenings going to plays and concerts. Hardly a man wallowing in misery.
Yes this was a vitriolic idiotic lecture.
his other stuff may be ok but this was mischaracterisation at its best.
Very c*nty.
He definitely did overstate his pain. But depression is a real thing.
I heard Michael for the first time about a year ago. The impact on me was so profound that I immediately bought all of Nietzsche's works. Now, I need to read Nietzsche every day. As a piano teacher, it has made me so much better. Michael will always be an absolute idol for me. Thank you, dear master, wherever you are.
A great lecture with humour injected in. Just to mention that I find Schopenhauer's pessimism soothing and comforting. Also: Nietzsche rejected much of Schopenhauer's pessimistic teachings in the late 1800s. Nietzsche considered Schopenhauer a "decadent" - meaning someone in a state of decay. In fact, Nietzsche wanted us to embrace life and say yes to life - quite the opposite of Schopenhauer. Many thanks again for a wonderful and enjoyable lecture, Michael.
You could say the same about Schopenhauer in that he wanted us to appreciate the beauties of life.
Nietzsche went insane because of advanced neurosyphilis. I don't understand how people don't know this at this point.
@@saintsword23 yes, and people take what he wrote at that time to be the sum of his person. Nietzsche was writing more than his worth early on as he was already a professor at age 24.
The Nietzsche fanboy phase is the one directly after reading Wolverine comics.
Yep. Schopenhauer was really the first to say, "Life Sucks". And he was right. As for Nietzsche if you actually read his works he seems to spit on much of life.
The older I get the more I agree with Schopenhauer.
Oh no
Eat some magic mushrooms and see what god is for yourself,then let your mind accept it in the coming months after the trip
@@dusankrajci6270
Or you could spend copious amounts of time-space orienting your mind in meditation, contemplation, and -- get this -- prayer. You might personally benefit from chanting (repetitive).
There can be no short cuts to genuine enlightenment. Carefully open the gate. Crash it not. I promise you I have had revelations thar made the whole known world vanish from known existence. The second one was as a result of doing the daily workbook lessons of A Course In Miracles! Author: Jesus.
Peace to you brother.
Kierkegaard
💯
I tought I was alone and crazy… but these ideas have been there in the human psyche for eons.
Perhaps it's the rest of the world that's gone mad like ostriches constantly drinking from the sweet wells of false hopes and self-deception.
@@AnotherDante your mother
Read Diomedes 3,000 year old cynic
YES! THERE ARE MORE LECTURES?! ❤️
My thoughts exactly
Not as popular as the Hegel one.
,,,,,c,ź,
@@Horwellston it was poorly scheduled.
One of the great lecturers and intellects of our time
Rest In Peace Dr Sugrue. Thank you for your diligence and care. You conquered yourself and in turn shared your great mind with the world. A true master of the art of oration and explanation, you saved us many hours of rehashing texts and troubled speculations.😁
You lived atop mountains. May you rest amongst waves of the cosmic tide, finality in gnosis and ultimate solace. Enjoy the ride. 🙏🏼
Interesting because as a young man Joseph Campbell changed my life and his favorite philosopher was Schopenhauer
Thank you for the lecture. Schopenhauer is fun :)
I will say, as a Buddhist convert, I did cringe a little bit at the slight conflation of ideas regarding the Noble Truths. It is an honest and easy mistake to make, though, especially as one looking from the outside in at Buddhism.
The "Eight noble truths" are actually the Four Noble Truths and they are (In a simplified way)
1: Suffering - Life (the Human condition) is suffering and it is defined by both pain and the chronic inability to be satisfied.
2: Desire or Attachment - That suffering arises from human desires and attachments to transient things (For example, the fear of death and aging are born of attachments to life and youthful vitality, respectively)
3: Cessation - That you can be liberated from suffering by limiting or renouncing Desires and Attachments.
4: The Noble Eightfold Path - That you can follow the Noble Eightfold Path (a topic in itself, to summarize: basically being responsible with your life, being mindfully attentive to the present, practicing meditation, and adopting and fostering "right views" about the nature of and your relationship to reality)
It should also be noted that it is a bit of a misperception to consider Buddhist practices and teachings as strictly ascetic and hopelessly pessimistic. Buddhism is called "The Middle Way" as it discourages the extremes of sensual pleasure-seeking AND extreme asceticism. A sort of wise moderation on most things in life is encouraged by many branches of Buddhism. As far as being pessimistic is concerned: Suffering is a reality of the human condition, but the point of Buddhist practice (especially in Mahayana Buddhism) is to overcome suffering so that one can experience Nirvana in this life and live and happy and fulfilled life.
Thanks for the detailed comment. Which book should I read to learn more?
@@Andre-bi3gq First and foremost I'd recommend listening to some of the lectures by Alan Watts (you can find many of his lectures for free on RUclips). He is a British Zen Buddhist, and comes at Buddhism (and Hinduism) more from the direction of western philosophy. That was my own introduction, he brings things down to earth in an easily digestible way (and he is pleasant to listen to).
For looking into Buddhism itself more directly, one must keep in mind that there are two drastically divergent branches, each of which have their own texts and spin on practices.
The first branch is "Theravada" or "School of the Elders" and it is the more traditionalist form of Buddhism. Its main text is the "Pali Canon". This branch tends to cleave a bit more closely to the letter of the specific teachings laid down in the earliest Buddhist traditions. From what I understand, it tends to be a bit more methodologically focused, with diligent practice of the many specific teachings leading to a sort of ordered gradual enlightenment over many years of practice. The "Mindfulness" movements that have sprung up in the west are more directly descended from this branch of Buddhism.
The second (and beyond, as this branch splits off in numerous directions) branch is called "Mahayana" or "The Great Vehicle", and it is a later development that diverges from some of the older doctrines. It doesn't have a "main text" per se, but its refutation of earlier forms of Buddhism is laid out in its early texts like "The Lotus Sutra" (which I wouldn't recommend getting into unless you are deeply into the scholarship. It almost exclusively concerned with countering and putting down the earlier Buddhist tradition and is otherwise a rather repetitive and dry affair). Mahayana focuses a little more on the Metaphysics of nonduality and Anatman (no Self), and how an understanding of those underlying concepts and their implications can be a path to enlightenment and Nirvana in this life. It also focuses on the "Bodhisattva vehicle", which is a path that focuses on ultimately becoming a Buddha, so that one can liberate all sentient beings from suffering. Tibetan Buddhism and Zen (which I personally follow) spring from this branch, and their paths are drastically different from one another. If you'd like an introduction to Mahayana concepts I'd encourage reading The Diamond Sutra and The Heart Sutra. They are both extremely short but get straight to the point, and do so quite eloquently.
I know I rambled on a bit, but I hope that helps :)
It's the middle way so what are the pleasure seeking beliefs of Buddhism which moderate its ascetic actions?
@@shaunkerr8721 It varies in different schools of Buddhism. Some schools emphasize a stricter interpretation of the Eightfold Path than others, especially if you have taken vows and are a part of a monastery.
The story goes that Siddhartha Gautama (the founder of Buddhism) initially abandoned the life of a decadent prince after having something of an existential crisis and pursued a spiritual path that led to self-mortification. There are stories of him eating only a single grain of rice a day in his ascetic pursuits and that his bones were visible under his skin due to how emaciated he had become.
He then realized that this wasn't the true path, so he abandoned his ascetic discipline, accepting a generous offer of rice pudding from a passing village girl, leading to his fellow ascetics becoming scandalized by his lack of discipline and initially abandoning him. It was shortly after this that he meditated beneath the Bodhi tree for a time until he attained full enlightenment.
So, instead of extreme ascetic self-denial, the Eightfold path emphasizes something more akin to healthy living advice, and even in the path itself there can be a bit of ambiguity and interpretation.
Speaking from Zen, I've watched a few Zen initiation ceremonies (at a Zen school in America, so it is less intense and monastery focused), and they are always rather fascinating. After the initiates take their vows, the teacher then clarifies some of the vows and encourages the initiates to use the Eightfold path as a sort of primer for introspection instead of hard rules with the line "We observe the precepts through breaking them".
For example, there is a precept to avoid intoxicating substances... But what defines an intoxicating substance is open to interpretation (as even abstract things like pride can be intoxicating from a certain perspective). The teacher then lightly commented that the point is to avoid being intoxicated to the point that there is a hangover (in other words, that the point of avoiding intoxicating substances is to avoid the consequences you can experience from consuming intoxicating substances, it is not just an arbitrary rule that has to be followed for its own sake).
The way I see Zen, ascetic practices are done solely to aid one in developing healthy self-control and a healthier perspective on life. If the practices begin to cause unnecessary pain or are otherwise pointlessly arbitrary and inappropriate, then they should be abandoned or limited, as ultimately the point is to live a happier life.
There are many different ways of interpreting the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, what you listed is just your way (or your teacher’s way) of interpreting them.
RUclips was made for this stuff. Michael I love you man
Ooh, yes!!! I need to find either a DVD set or a digital repository of all of Dr. Sugrue's lectures so I can watch and re-watch, in order.
I'd pay good money for that set of information... Wait it's free on RUclips already.
@@PreludeDude I would pay for either hard copies or a digital archive of the full, organized set. These lectures are amazing. I just wish I could find a a complete and chronologically-/topically- ordered archive so I can use them to study and build up an organized and comprehensive understanding.
I made a playlist with all his lectures, organized by the date of birth of the subject: ruclips.net/p/PLViSFoOWmwpTvvhUHyTgTC8H8M859Fk1Q
@@wmvv123 Thank you! I'll check it out. Is it comprehensive of his various series or only what's uploaded on YT?
@@Balys111 I think you can download if you pay for RUclips red.
Literally this is a part of this moment of my life when I have the chance to consume this content and it helps me with so many things! Like improve my English, professor Sugrue I love this content and I can’t get enough
Schopenhauer is one of my favorite philosophers. He is brilliant, innovative, insightful and original. Readers often miss his wonderful sense of humor. I often find myself in stiches as I come upon his wry and witty remarks. Kant puts me to sleep. Schopenhauer wakes me up and keeps me laughing. He would have been a wonderful standup comedian. I like the way Sugrue comments about Schopenhauer's influence on Freud. I wish he talked more about Schopenhauer's influence on modern physics, especially Einstein's theory of relativity and the whole field of Quantum Physics.
My whole family met tragedy in 20th century US through no fault of their own. Consequently, my life has been a will to laughter with flat affect.
Sharing his unhappiness with us is always welcome and for a good reasons and especially nowadays.
I love Schopenhauer.
He was the sum of his experiences as we all are.
The best lecturer I've had the pleasure of listening to, not just on RUclips, but in my entire lifetime and 25 years of education.
Marcus Aurelius's one might be better.
@@ErnestRamaj it absolutely is! That's his best lecture, so much passion! You'd almost think he's a fanatic. I just decided to comment what I did here instead for some reason.
I really envy you! What privilege it must have been
@@destihado1 If the privilege you're talking about is my 25 years of education, let me put your mind at ease. I've learnt more from free lectures and podcasts on RUclips than any class throughout two decades of education.
If you can't go to University for any reason, don't worry. Many great Professors upload their lectures to RUclips for free (such as this great man). The only real advantage of a University is meeting like minded people, and getting certain jobs that require a degree (although that's going away as well).
@@TheDevilsPrankby mistake i understood that you had the luck of hearing Dr Sugrue’s lectures in person. My bad! But I agree with you nonetheless :)
A beautifully constructed lecture; Thank you, Mr. Sugrue.
This lecture couldn't be any more timely; I've just started reading the World As Will And Idea, and Dr. Sugrue is really helping to clear up my confusion on Schopenhauer's metaphysics!
I suggest you read Bryan Magee’s commentaries on Schopenhauer as a counterpoint to Dr Sugrue’s rather glib dismissal
@@blix4199 I will definitely read that one. Thanks for the info.
I'd say Dr. Sugrue's reading is excellent but a bit bias towards the dark side of Schopenhauer's writings. I consider his complete works (after having read them) to be a monumental set of ideas full of living force (not exactly pessimistic).
@@OpenmusicEs where there is a dark aspect to Schopenhauer there is also a revelation - questions that arise after reading his book and answers. Such as inspirations, rationale, temperament, and also Schopenhauer will and representation really has a great psychological aspect.
@@OpenmusicEs I would also recommend Copleston's "Schopenhauer, philosopher of Pessimism" as a companion and counterpoint to Magee's book.
"It's hard to think anyone more relentlessly pessimistic than Schopenhauer."
*Thomas Ligotti entered the chat*
Schopenhauer seems to me to be accurate and the most honest of philosophers.
Dr. Sugrue must have been a great dude to go to a bar with. Please continue enlightening me as I drown my existential dread in these pints.
"The world is not a piece of machinery and animals are not manufactured for our use. Such views should be left to synagogues and philosophical lecture-rooms, which in essence are not so very different." - Arthur Schopenhauer
Based
Based beyond measure.
My favorite Philosopher.
Respect for this guy. May disagree and be some what put off by Schopenhauer’s thought but still presents it accurately and without distortion
Arthur Schopenhauer - 'Human life must be some kind of mistake. My favorite quote from him.
"I specifically requested the opposite of this."
This is a professor, someone who makes you think, peaks clearly, you learn, you feel like you must look for more information and makes you seek knowledge not make it a task, he makes knowledge seen like a necesity of human existence which it is, school only tells you you must learn in order to do this, philosophy makes you want to know the world and comprehend it better, its a way of life.
WOAH I did not know there was more Sugrue lectures he recorded. This is a welcome sight indeed thank you!
"We are a bundle of desires and a collection of answers. Our desires never get satisfied and our questions never get answered."
Very useful briefing of Schopenhauer's ideas. One missing and very important aspect is his view of animal suffering under human rule.
Schopenhauer is the single greatest philosopher in history. He is as close as we have gotten to the Higher Men.
Do you think someone would commit suicide after watching this video
I think what is necessary to understand Shopenhaur is empathy. I remember studying cognitive behavioural therapy, Buddhism and some Hinduism to try and alleviate my severe depression. Can you imagine being hopelessly locked in the finite and struggling to understand text written by people who are writing from the perspective of the other end of a binary, they are completely immersed in the infinite. The self is an illusion.
Then I found Stoicism. Imagine then that the Universe throws you a lifeline, it speaks to you and you have to make a choice, the aesthetic man or the virtuous man. This is what Kierkegaard described as the dizzy heights of freedom because it takes great courage to leave all that you have and throw yourself into the abyss. It would of course be only natural to question your sanity and this is where Reason and faith entwine. " The objective of life is to escape from the side of the majority and find yourself comfortably amongst the ranks of the insane" - Marcus Aurelius.
Then once you throw yourself into the abyss you find out what it means to stay present because you have to engage with your reality in the present moment in order to survive, a primary basic instinct, the will to live.
As rational social beings we strive for connection, but when you are of a certain intellect you find the company of the majority barely tolerable, so escape from the finite is achieved through substance abuse, altered states, " sometimes an intelligent man has to drink so he can spend some time with his fools" - Hemingway.
If you contemplate your conceptual experiences, suffering is an opportunity for growth and development. The Universe will teach you, all you have to do is pay attention.
When you reach a certain understanding of Nature, you find yourself in the same position as Dostoyevsky, right on the dividing line. But for this you have to establish new values and be willing to re-define your morality. If you don't and instead impose your morality on Nature all understanding will be over and you will go insane, lost in the abyss, like Nietzsche.
Because we are a culmination of the evolutionary process we have instinctual drives, the will to live, not only exist, live, the will to procreate, the will to power and the instinctual drive for pleasure. I used to think Stoicism was about overcoming these instinctual drives but it's not, it's about controlling them, learning how to use them virtuously. As Nietzsche said the organising idea reveals itself and all your actions are directed towards that.
You do not avoid pain or seek pleasure, that's from the Bhagavad-Gita. Shopenhaur tried to adhere to Buddhist doctrines and turned sour on women, an alter ego, but he couldn't control the will to power, he went directly head on competing with Hegel. Trying to control his desires and aversions I'm sure caused him much frustration but it was due to a lack of understanding.
I have little to no time for passive fatalism, just accepting will go as they must ,is relinquishing what is within our control. If you bring a car to a garage to increase its performance, the garage can't do much if it doesn't understand the engine.
This comment was amazing. Thank you for this. I loved reading it!
@@lizandro7728 you are very welcome, thank you 🙂
So it's essentially take the hint that things have to change if you're at odds with nature and use Stoic dichotomy of control/virtues/meditation of you'll be an another fool discarded by natural selection? Take whatever window of control you're given by mother nature and environment or else return to nothingness philosophically and or physically? Sounds absolutely brutal and kinda passionless (unless I'm misunderstanding Stoics).
Is the solution purely something like Serenity prayer?
Feels like nothing matters except that we must participate in this free-for-all experiment that, frighteningly, we not knowingly signed up for.
@@corn204 that the exact lick your balls attitude that compounds ones misery.
What an amazing lecture, which really shouldn't come as a surprise considering Professor Sugrue's track record. I really love how he is able to connect great philosophical thinkers together whilst providing context for how they relate to (and are different from) each other. After watching this I am definitely going to revisit the Freud and Nietzsche lectures again.
Yeah it’s been very cool to see how all the pieces fit together. There are so many philosophers with so many works, it’s often easy to miss the contexts in which they were written. Dr. Sugrue is doing us a great service by painting a cohesive picture.
Thanks for talking about a German philosopher who seems all too often avoided in today's universities. You need to give Arthur Schopenhauer more credit. His influence was immense, e.g. on Leo Tolstoy or Oswald Spengler. Nietzsche called him his teacher, whom you can surely trust . Maybe he was not just negative, but right? "Du kannst tun was du willst, aber nicht wollen was du willst." Schopenhauer was onto something, interpreting das Ding an sich as will, but the will is untouchable, unknowable. And, did you mention his curse against the Verhunzung of the German language? How true it is today.
I dont like to throw the word "genius" around but Sugrue strikes me as worthy.
Thanks!
These are great videos. I wish Bob Solomon was still alive. He produced great lectures with the same video company. I wish they were preserved on youtube in the same way Dr Sugrue has been doing
Was surprised to find the judgment and opinion about Schopenhauer- have just found Dr. Segrue and have been amazed at the clarity and help he offers in meeting philosophy so late in my life.
This one is different - de doesn’t seem to find compassion for this philosopher so as to offer a cleaner perspective. It feels a bit like it hit a fear in him with no way out.
Will continue to learn more as Dr. Sugrue has so much to share. Thank you.
The tracking might be slightly off, but this is still an incredible lecture. It's witty, insightful and interesting.
Thank you! I find myself watching these lectures more and more...
To all: Read "The World as Will and Representation" by Arthur Schopenhauer instead of just relying on this lecture.
This man is the best teacher I've ever seen.
It's so beautiful that Schopenhauer was this perfectly sour complement to Hegel. I am reaching enlightenment via Schopenhauer-Hegelian model, reporting back influenced by modern western Hindu-Buddhist gurus. The real 'I' is the Absolute; this egoic self is merely a whirlwind of ... will. ... Hell is confusing the latter for the prior... This lecture is truly pinnacle of reality, thanks so much Sugrue
Woah, and I thought I had seen all of Sugrue’s lectures, what a treat! 🙏🏼
I find Schopenhauer to be a warm, engaging and compassionate philosopher. I don’t understand this negativity in the introduction. Normally I appreciate Sugrue’s lectures.
I find his philosophy so freeing, enjoying the continual state of striving and self improvement. Knowing I will never be contented is OK.
This is one of the best lectures on philosophical subjects i have ever seen. He explains the topics clearly and eloquently yet doesn't needlessly convolute things all the while not dumbing anything down. This should be mandatory viewing for any would be lecturer in all subjects.
This is best place to start Philosophy. There is a need of more to delve into Schopenhauer philosophy to understand him better.
I met a lad once who was balls deep into Buddhism. He knew all the Upanishads and all the theory. I had a great discussion with him for two or three days comparing Buddhism and Stoicism.
But then he was telling me a story of how his mother was on her last legs and how his sister started labelling home appliances and furniture with her name. He told me how much it infuriated him and how he had to get financial support to fight a lengthy legal battle with his siblings in the wake of his mothers passing. I sat there listening to him thinking "where the fuck was all the Buddhism? "
@Eudaimonia life is perception and our perception is largely determined by our world view. Is the purpose of Buddhism not to change that world view?
When is comes to money philosophy ends.
@@lifeisabadjoke5750 or begins, or perhaps ought to begin. I made a video called "death to all infidels" but I'm being obstructed from posting it, for a good reason I'm sure. I think it actually goes "death to all idolators", if we agree that money and the golden calf are the same thing, who are they?
Thank you for being my philosophy lecturer- fabulous and fascinating
Thanks for the lectures man. All the other lectures are in one ear out the other. But i actually remember and am easily able to conceptualize everything you say. It’s a miracle!
Fantastic, was just revisiting Schopenhaur recently, and I had regret that there wasn't a video from Professor Sugrue.
It’s easier to chastise poor ol Schopenhauer than to prove his point of view wrong!
Excellent and eclectic lecture. Unlike the one I had in college that put me to sleep 😴
RIP Professor. I am heartbroken.
Thank you oh so much for for these uploads, just came across them and I'm very glad I clicked the suggested video.
Thank you for your time, effort and good intentions, greetings from Chile
Thank you for getting us through these soul destroying times, Professor.
The old Judeo-Christian trick: when you agree with the philosopher, elevate his ideas; when you disagree, explain it away by blaming his personality and upbringing.
Christianity falls apart whenever it encounters suffering or one who refuses to suffer in slience.
Plenty of people intuitively understand this and that's why it's in decline.
Are you high?
Christianity is one of the best antidotes to suffering.
Even if it’s not correct it makes suffering an adventure in morality
Atheist materialism reduces suffering to blind mindless occurrences that are in complete chaos and indifference.
How is that more comforting?
@@deanmccrorie3461 now, I have a great admiration for Christianity and I do believe it's a genuinely hopeful and wholesome faith. But if we go back to the foundation in Job- if you suffer under Yahweh's watch your only recourse is: "trust the plan".
Now, I'm open for any wrestling on that point. But, at least in the west. Theres a reason that church pews are going empty. Even these revival movements you see in young men, they're really just reactionaries more than they are true believers.
@@deanmccrorie3461 "Christianity is one of the best antidotes to suffering." I really do not know what to make of this. Are you saying the entire Christian western world suffers less than every Buddhist on the planet? Speak to a Buddhist... you will notice that the opposite is true.
@@Henchgirl7342 Give it time. Its reactionary because people are waking up to the reality of Sodom and Gmorah.
I mean for pete sake Discovery plus just released a show about trans kids dressing in drag themed stripper outfits in front of adult audiences.
Sick times
Also other realities are hard to explore as materialism is still a very deep seated assumption we subconsciously carry. I still certainly do
Youll see. Many more will turn to Jordan Peterson and more hopefully to Jung, And then naturally to Christ or at the very least buddha and others
this was incredibly insightful what a beautiful way of thinking of consciousness his thoughts show an inverse vacuum of what it means to be a sentient being
Thank you for having the wherewithall to record these lectures they are brilliant
Been waiting for this! Send my thanks to Dr Sugrue for uploading this
Can we reflect for a moment on how good this lecturer is.
Such a generous man! We can't thank you enough for sharing your invaluable lectures, Prof. Sugrue!
A new lecture ☺️What a Pleasant surprise.
Exacting and entertaining lecture. Thank you for discussing Schopenahauer. Brilliant mind .
Oh hell yeah, Geistmaster Sugrue back at it. Bless up today
Post nomadic, Post agricultural, Post Civilization, Post industrialization, Post modern all have the same thing in common. To overcome and improve some aspect or all aspects of the human condition. Positivity would inevitably kill the spirit as boredom or literally a dead end. Therefore negativity has been the driving force behind human achievement. The Will, or intentionality as a representation. Mysticism keeps us intrigued and motivated to look beyond the possibilities to avoid contextualized progress and complacency. So innate is our life and death drive that we self sabotage to maintain the will to live. Nihilism is but a temporary state. The anxiety will inevitably stir things up again .
These lectures enrich life. Very grateful for this amazing content. As always - Thank you!
So glad RUclips is giving a new generation the pleasure of listening to Dr. Sugrue.
Saw this and knew my day would get better!
Danke!
What a gem of a professor to discover on a monday morning
Great class! Thank you so much for sharing it.
A lecture on Schopenhauer by Prof. Sugrue! Awesome!
Desire leads to addiction, being addicted strips one of free will.
This is the greatest lecturer I have ever listened to!
I have read Schopenhauer’s _World as Will and Representation_ as well as _Parerga and Paralipomena_ and _Essays and Aphorisms,_ and I think Sugrue mischaracterizes Schopenhauer as extremely bitter or sad. It makes me wonder if he has even read Schopenhauer. When I read him, Schopenhauer comes off incredibly honest, objective, and unafraid to acknowledge uncomfortable facts about our existence. Is he always correct? No, not in my opinion. But I don’t think Sugrue or academic philosophers in general have given Schopenhauer his fair due. And it’s their loss, because Schopenhauer is a rigorous thinker as well as an excellent and entertaining writer.
Despite not having read any Schopenhauer myself, I also come away from this lecture with the strong impression that Sugrue is a little out of his depth here, but it's hard to sort out how much of what Sugrue is saying represents his own misconceptions and biases and how much of it is right there in Schopenhauer's writings.
For example, Sugrue mangles basic Buddhist concepts pretty badly. There are four noble truths and eight factors of the path, and only the first of the noble truths is entirely concerned with suffering per se. Sugrue on the other hand refers to "eight truths" and incorrectly associates each truth with some different aspect of suffering. Does Schopenhauer get Buddhism wrong at this basic level as well?
More tellingly, Sugrue seems to understand the overall gist of the Buddha's teachings as pointing to the extinction of desire, but Sugrue seems to feel that this is a hopelessly grim and nihilistic undertaking. Millions of Buddhists would beg to differ, but in any case, is such an attitude right there in Schopenhauer's writing or is it purely coming from Sugrue's interpretations?
@@andrewyancy8639 I think it’s Sugrue’s misunderstanding. Buddhism gets labeled “pessimistic” and/or “nihilistic” because of its scathing review of the world as we know and experience it; but ultimately Buddhism is extremely optimistic, as it is based on the idea that we can escape the suffering of the world as we know it and awaken into nirvana-a state free of suffering, a state that no language is adequate to represent but which (according to Buddhism) is attainable.
Schopenhauer does not discuss Buddhism directly much, nor does he rely on it. But just like the Buddha, Schopenhauer suggests that there is another reality we can “achieve” (for lack of a better word) by recognizing the oneness of the reality behind all the various forms of life and by denying our own personal will and living as ascetically as possible.
Now, Schopenhauer does not say that our personal consciousness/individuality survives post mortem to enjoy this other reality, but I’m not sure Buddha says so either. Either way, both Buddha and Schopenhauer are pessimistic about the world and the value of worldly pursuits in and of themselves, but optimistic about the potential to transcend all of this and attain a state free of suffering.
Excellent comment!
Agreed. Toxic positivity is rearing its head here, despite me massively respecting Michael Sugrue
Agreed! And I also feel Sugrue really has a dark and negative view of buddhism and the noble 8 fold path. I feel it is will that can alleviate us from the illusion of suffering, as suffering is a choice.
This makes my day, thanks for sharing this.
His introduction on Schopenhauer’s background, as a prelude, struck me as the nitty-gritty of the whole will-to-exist, as essentially tragic, but as Dr. Michael Sugrue continues, I am quite impressed by the appalling lucidity, wit and brilliant explanation of such complicated abstract concepts to peeling off the different layers between subject and object!
That’s brilliancy on equal terms with Arthur Schopenhauer!
His intellectual power and stunning erudition to blending-in so many different philosophers and endless analogies are remarkable, extraordinary and delightful to a very high degree.
To the say that the thing in itself, noumena, is an insaciable blind will-to-exist, is one of the scariest things ever discovered. I have always thought that God was the true author of this best of all possible worlds?
At any event, thanks for posting this video!
I was hoping this one would be located. Very nice!
10:30 A sidenote: as a german native speaker, "idea" strikes me as a weird translation for "Vorstellung". I haven't actually read Schopenhauer, so I don't know whether the term was very context dependent, but a more accurate translation for Vorstellung would be "imagination", or an imagined thing, an illusion. This also seems to make sense considering Schopenhauer's access to indian philosophy, where the human condition is described as Maya, which I've been told is also a sort of term for illusion.
Danke. This is a big problem with translation. I’ve also seen the title translated as “representation.” How does that sound? Often these German phrases are translated without linguistic reflection.
I would argue ”presentation” works better than ”representation” too.
great teacher
Thoroughly enjoyed this lecture. The disdain of Dr Sugrue was entertaining, but it didn't stop me from liking Schaupenhauer's ideas, perhaps because I have read about Hinduism and Buddhism and his ideas never appeared bizarre to me. Disagreeable in some respects, but there is no denial what a great teacher Dr Sugrue is. Yet another classic!
Wonderful lecture. I'm grateful to you.
It is the 4 Noble truths; and the 8 fold path. He said several times the 8 noble truths. The first time he said it, I thought he just misspoke. The second time and third time he said it, I knew he was in error. Brilliant man though.
There are four noble truths in Buddhism, not eight. With that aside, Sugrue does a very good job, as usual. He provides maybe the best synopses of Western Philosophies available.
Love these lectures! Thanks Professor!