2000-11-25 The next place to turn when you've outgrown Bryan Magee

More up to date than Fox's collection of essays, this collection, edited by the author of 'Self and World in Schopenhauer's Philosophy', is a great demonstration of Analytical engagement with Schopenhauer's system. A truly fair introduction sets the tone for a generally sympathetic series of treatments on various aspects of Schopenhauer; including his relation to Kant, Indian thought, Wittgenstein, and Nietzsche. The most important essays for the student, like Janaway's on the Will, the essay on Kant, as well as the most interesting (in my view) on death and on ethics include numerous references to recent works on Schopenhauer like Atwell's - which are useful given the price of some of these works. All in all there is plenty of argument , in an analytical spirit, which defenders of Schopenhauer will find occupying them for some time. In this it is an ideal step forward from those who have found some of Magee's positions (eg on knowing the thing-in-itself) more fragile than Schopenhauers. While sympathetic in tone, often the sheer mass of counter argument against some of Schopenhauer's fundamental but underdefended dogmas (eg idealism, noumenal Will, Denial of the Will), appear unjustly in poor health. Perhaps anticipating the rise of analytic philosophy Schopenhauer has, as always, a ready aphorism: "Perhaps argument, (as opposed to insight), are not so much for those who wish to learn but to dispute". A good enough warning to those who may come away from this collection disenchanted with the difficulties Schopenhauer's philosophy may appear to face. In sum, well worth filling your time with while saving up for for van Lufft's 'New Essays in Honour of his 200th Birthday.'