Study On Schopenhauer’s Theory Of Happiness

The discussion on happiness is an old philosophy problem throughout the ages, and it’s also our unchangeable pursuit. In recent years, the theory of happiness has become a heated discussion in the field of philosophy. Though Schopenhauer is the representative of pessimism, the basic meaning of his theory of happiness emphasizes on the source of happiness and reveals the essence of pain of people. Especially, with the development of technology and society, the level of the material living has been greatly improved. There are still many problems like hedonism、money worship、happiness paradox and pollution, which can’t be neglected. Thus, from studying and analyzing Schopenhauer’s theory of happiness we can get beneficial enlightenment and lessons, which can construct Chinese happiness society.Firstly, based on the description of Schopenhauer’s life story, this paper teases the thread of his philosophy and expounds the influence of his character and experience. Secondly, from the background and theoretical origin of Schopenhauer’s theory of happiness, this paper summarizes the character of the times and the philosophical basis of his theory of happiness. Then, this paper presents systematically and comprehensively Schopenhauer’s theory of happiness. On the first part, it clarifies Schopenhauer’s definition of happiness. He regarded will ontology as the foundation and basis of philosophy. He defined happiness as the satisfaction of will, through the discussion between happiness and will. He affirmed the blindness, desire and infinity of will, in the meanwhile, he pointed out that happiness has its negativity, provisionality and finiteness. On the second part, the paper expounds and analyzes Schopenhauer’s classification of the source of happiness from man himself, external things and the evaluation from others. Schopenhauer fully affirmed that the quality of oneself is the key factor of his happiness, however, he made too much emphasis on the congenital differences of quality which had obvious tendency of fatalism. On the third part, beginning from Schopenhauer’s will ontology the paper expounds his understanding of the recipe for happiness and analyzes the relationship between the way we acquire happiness and our will. On the fourth part, the paper analyzes his thought that affirmed the pessimism in his theory of happiness and the influence to happiness, which has positive effect on human’s self-examination function from man himself. At the same time, it expresses the neglect of human’s social nature in Schopenhauer’s theory of happiness, his tendency of fatalism and heavy pessimistic limitations. And at last, through the awareness of Schopenhauer’s theory of happiness the paper draws on the experience of his reasonable main idea and the limitation from the theory itself, and expounds the positive inspiration in attaining happiness and establishing happy society in our nation.All in all, Schopenhauer’s theory of happiness has some positive meanings to some extent, but which still can’t transcend his limitations of his will ontology and pessimistic, which can’t make it play a directive role in reality to the uttermost. Thus, we must insist on regarding practical materialist conception of Marxism as the basic point departure to probe the problems of human’s happiness, which can make us get a significant development in promoting happiness.