Schopenhauer: Optimism as a "Wicked Way of Thinking"

Schopenhauer claims that “optimism […] appears not merely as absurd, but also as a really wicked way of thinking” (cf. p. 194). Discuss this in connection with one of the optimistic texts we have considered.

What does Schopenhauer mean by the Will creates an endless cycle of suffering?

When you desire something, there is a lack (discomfort); when that desire is fulfilled, we enter a state of boredom (ennui).

What is Schopenhauer’s negative view of satisfaction/pleasure?

Pleasure/satisfaction only ever exists as the negation of pain

What is Schopenhauer’s compensation argument?

If pleasure is the mere negation of suffering, then no amount of pleasure can compensate for any amount of suffering

Schopenhauer believes that if happiness/satisfaction were possible, then…

We would be able to experience it without the antecedent of pain

According to Schopenhauer, what are the three great blessings in life that we are not conscious of until they are lost?

Health, youth and freedom

What are the three main reasons why Schopenhauer believes that optimism is a “wicked way of thinking”?

It justifies/ignores suffering, it downplays the pain of others, and it can make people morally complacent.

Why does Schopenhauer think that optimism can make people become morally complacent?

Because it can distort how we perceive suffering and our responsibility towards it

What is an optimistic text we have covered that can be made in connection with Schopenhauer's argument?

Leibniz’s work of "Theodicy," which argues that everything is for the best in this “best of all possible worlds”.

Why does Leibniz think that this world is the “best of all possible worlds”?

Because God is all-knowing, he surveys all possible worlds and brings the best one into existence (since it is in his nature to do so)

If Leibniz thinks that this is the best of all possible worlds, why does evil exist?

God did not will evil into existence; rather, he permits it, but this does not detract from God’s goodness

According to Leibniz, how does God permitting evil not detract from his goodness?

God allows evil to exist as a part of a system that produces a greater good overall.

According to Leibniz, what is God’s system (that contains evil) producing a greater overall good?

God does not want evil to exist, but he has no choice; he must choose the best of all possible worlds, even if it contains some evil.

According to Leibniz, evil exists as the result of what?

Humans exercising their free will

According to Leibniz, why would God let humans exercise their free will if it creates evil?

Because a world with freedom is more valuable (the best) than a perfectly controlled one

What does Leibniz mean by “we freely will moral evil into existence”?

We are not forced to commit moral evil; rather, we choose to do so through our own free will. If we do, we are rightly punished (through physical evil).

Leibniz wants to defend optimism and what?

The orthodox view of God

Why does Leibniz think that a world without any evil would not be better?

This world must be the best possible world (since God made it), and changes to this world would make it a different world, and therefore, not the best.

According to Leibniz, even though there is evil, the world still has the greatest possible amount of …

possible overall harmony and goodness

It is important to note that Schopenhauer is concerned with _____, while Leibniz is concerned with______.

evil and suffering, moral evil