Comparing the Philosophical Worlds of Hegel and Schopenhauer: Perspectives on the Meaning of Life

Arthur Schopenhauer and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel were prominent German philosophers of the 19th century. Both were influential during the same era but had significantly different philosophical perspectives.


Schopenhauer's philosophy primarily revolves around the concepts of will and the sufferings inherent in life. According to him, the fundamental driving force of the world is the "will." This will guides human instincts, desires, and wishes. Schopenhauer suggests that human life is generally filled with suffering, stemming from the constant unsatisfied desires and infinite wants dictated by the will. Consequently, he argues that life is fundamentally meaningless, and individuals are often in a state of perpetual discontentment.

Schopenhauer believes that to escape this suffering, people should turn to aesthetic experiences and art. He contends that art can temporarily liberate individuals from the desires of the will and provide inner peace. Moreover, he advocates for moral actions, empathy, and efforts to understand and alleviate the suffering of others as means to bring meaning and happiness to human lives.


On the other hand, Hegel's philosophy is characterized by a historical perspective and is known for his dialectical method. He sees history as progressing through a thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. Hegel suggests the existence of a universal spirit or mind, and historical events unfold within the development of this spirit. He perceives human history, ideas, culture, and society evolving within a universal flow, resulting in spiritual progression.

One of the key differences between Schopenhauer and Hegel lies in their views of life—Schopenhauer sees life as filled with suffering and meaningless, while Hegel seeks meaning and progress within universal history. Schopenhauer focuses on the suffering of life, while Hegel concentrates on the historical and social development of the human spirit.


Schopenhauer's philosophy aims for inner peace and happiness by renouncing the will and emphasizing aesthetic experiences. In contrast, Hegel's philosophy highlights the historical process of the human spirit's development and societal progress. In conclusion, the philosophies of Schopenhauer and Hegel offer distinct perspectives on human life, the world, and the endeavor to understand oneself. While Schopenhauer pursues inner peace and happiness, Hegel focuses on historical and universal progress. Both philosophers deeply examine humanity's understanding of the world and oneself.


Arthur Schopenhauer was a philosopher whose philosophical ideas deeply influenced the understanding of art, impacting numerous artists and thinkers. His approach to art stemmed from his philosophical concepts, advocating that art plays a pivotal role in understanding human experience. Schopenhauer believed that art temporarily liberates individuals from the sufferings caused by the will and provides inner peace. According to him, artworks portray universal human sufferings, offering viewers or readers a temporary escape. Art can momentarily distance people from the infinite desires of the will and the pains of life.

Schopenhauer's influence on art particularly impacted many artists and thinkers in 19th-century Europe and subsequent periods. His philosophy significantly affected artists, especially during the Romantic and post-Romantic eras. Here are some important figures influenced by Schopenhauer:

1. Richard Wagner: Schopenhauer had a profound impact on Wagner's intellectual development. Wagner held a deep interest in Schopenhauer's philosophy, and some of his operas were influenced by Schopenhauer's ideas.
2. Friedrich Nietzsche: Nietzsche extensively engaged with Schopenhauer's works during his youth and was significantly influenced by his ideas. However, their philosophical perspectives diverged in later years.
3. Thomas Mann: Mann was an influential writer who was influenced by Schopenhauer's philosophy. Traces of Schopenhauer's thoughts can be found in Mann's works.
4. Jorge Luis Borges: Borges frequently used Schopenhauer's philosophical concepts and ideas in his works, showing his influence.

Schopenhauer's influence extended beyond artists; his philosophical thoughts impacted numerous individuals in psychology, literature, music, and general culture. His deep understanding of the significance of art in human life and his insights into human psychology influenced many artists and thinkers, leading them to focus on the existential depth of art. Schopenhauer's profound impact on art underscores the depth of his philosophical ideas on the meaning of art and human experience.