This excerpt is from Paul Strathern's Schopenhauer in 90 Minutes, part of his "Philosophers in 90 Minutes" series. The book offers a concise biography and explanation of Schopenhauer's philosophy, which is characterised by pessimism and a focus on the universal Will, a blind, purposeless force driving human suffering. Strathern contrasts Schopenhauer's ideas with those of earlier philosophers like Kant and Hegel, and also explores the influence of Schopenhauer's life experiences on his thinking. The excerpt includes selected writings from Schopenhauer, a suggested reading list, and timelines for both his life and the history of philosophy. Finally, it discusses the impact Schopenhauer had on subsequent thinkers, particularly Nietzsche and Freud.
