Abstract

The Preface outlines the nature and purpose of this project. Explicit reference is made to the relevance of dealing with the relation between reality and happiness, as well as the reasons for treating this topic with regard to Arthur Schopenhauer's philosophy. ;Chapter One provides a general explication of Arthur Schopenhauer's philosophy with a focus on his notions of ultimate reality as it is in itself, ultimate reality as it manifests itself into multifarious manifestations, the relation between existence, desire and suffering, and the possibility of achieving salvation. Because of Schopenhauer's comprehensive philosophical system, this explication presents his theories of reality, knowledge, morality, desire, aesthetics, asceticism, mysticism, and salvation. ;Chapter Two offers a close examination of several problems that surface within Schopenhauer's metaphysical and epistemological theories, especially as they concern his suggestions for varying types of knowledge, the manner in which he grounds and defines the nature of ultimate reality, what he considers to be the properties of that reality, and the various ways in which that reality might exist and be known. ;Based upon what follows from an examination of Schopenhauer's theories of reality and knowledge, Chapter Three offers an analysis of the way in which Schopenhauer conceives of the self and the acquisition of happiness, specifically as they concern his notions of human desire and suffering, the way in which he explains how salvation might be achieved, and the method by which one might achieve salvation. ;Chapter Four suggests and outlines the foundation for an alternate explanation for understanding how and why suffering occurs, as well as how it might be possible to overcome suffering. An approach is suggested that depicts a way in which one might be able to attain and maintain happiness during one's life. ;In addition to providing a brief summation of this dissertation, as well as suggesting possible future projects that might complement this dissertation, the Addendum offers an apologetics, of sorts, both in terms of the dissertation, as well as the use of Schopenhauer's philosophy