This blog assignment requires you to read and comment on "The Pessimist's Handbook" by Arthur Schopenhauer. Your comment can be a general interpretation or observation about the essay and topic being discussed. At the end of your comment, you must write an open-ended question that we can try to answer during the seminar.
Our goal is to find meaning in this article through our collaborative efforts.
The Pessimist's Handbook
by Arthur Schopenhauer
A man's happiness and also almost every friendship he has both rest on illusion. As a rule when he learns more about either, the happiness or friendship disappears. In spite of this, here as everywhere people must have courage and pursue truth. They must never get tired of trying to get straight about themselves and the world. When they discover that an illusion made them happy, they should have courage and keep moving ahead. People who do this can be certain of one thing. They will never discover any worthlessness in themselves. For to feel one is worthless is the worst and in fact the only suffering.
All sufferings of the mind are healed, and in fact, immediately relieved, by the firm sense of one's own worth. A person who believes in his worth can sit down quietly under the weight of terrible sufferings. Though such a person may have no pleasures, no joys, and no friends, he can rest content in himself. That's how strong a comfort can come from feeling one's own worth. It is the greatest blessing on earth. On the other hand, nothing can help a person who knows his own worthlessness. All he can do is try to hide it by deceiving other people. Or he can try to deafen them by making lots of noise. Unfortunately, neither trick can serve him for very long.
Our goal is to find meaning in this article through our collaborative efforts.
The Pessimist's Handbook
by Arthur Schopenhauer
A man's happiness and also almost every friendship he has both rest on illusion. As a rule when he learns more about either, the happiness or friendship disappears. In spite of this, here as everywhere people must have courage and pursue truth. They must never get tired of trying to get straight about themselves and the world. When they discover that an illusion made them happy, they should have courage and keep moving ahead. People who do this can be certain of one thing. They will never discover any worthlessness in themselves. For to feel one is worthless is the worst and in fact the only suffering.
All sufferings of the mind are healed, and in fact, immediately relieved, by the firm sense of one's own worth. A person who believes in his worth can sit down quietly under the weight of terrible sufferings. Though such a person may have no pleasures, no joys, and no friends, he can rest content in himself. That's how strong a comfort can come from feeling one's own worth. It is the greatest blessing on earth. On the other hand, nothing can help a person who knows his own worthlessness. All he can do is try to hide it by deceiving other people. Or he can try to deafen them by making lots of noise. Unfortunately, neither trick can serve him for very long.