"Seek peace in small moments, in art, in nature, and in the quieting of desire. This world may not offer lasting joy, but it can offer clarity, and with clarity comes a kind of relief, even in the face of life’s inevitable struggles."

Arthur Schopenhauer was a German philosopher from the 19th century, who thought about the futility of striving. He taught that the “will to live” was the only true reality, which instigates in the individual a relentless pursuit of desire and certainty that is never satisfied. The only way out, he saw, was through aesthetics—the arts and especially music—and the leading of an ascetic lifestyle. Even those wouldn’t keep the hungry “will” at bay for long, though. Today, Arthur Schopenhauer is seen as a pessimistic philosopher, but I’d like to see if he has any optimism in him, too.

Interview facilitated by ChatGPT and Claude

Voicing constructed with ⁠Elevenlabs⁠

Music by ⁠Grand_Project⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

Soundscape by ⁠kevp888 on ⁠Freesound⁠: 1 & 2

Concept, editing and production by Merijn de Haen

@ 2024 Undead Sages Podcast