Arthur Schopenhauer's Pessimism and Josiah Royce's Loyalty

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Bibliographic Data

ID8902880
AuthorsCharles Royal Carlson (corresponding author), Charles Royal Carlson Charles Royal Carlson
Year2016
Volume52
Issue2
Pages148-148
Publication date2016-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueTransactions of the Charles S Peirce Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0009-1774 • E-ISSN: 1558-9587
PublisherIndiana University Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2979/trancharpeirsoc.52.2.02
OpenAlexW2520256902
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited6

This article traces the influence of Arthur Schopenhauer’s pessimism on the development of one of the central concepts of Josiah Royce’s ethical system, loyalty. It discusses Schopenhauer’s depiction of nature found in his notion of the World Will and the harsh consequences he sees for humanity’s hopes and pursuits. Royce concedes much of this to Schopenhauer and acknowledges that he himself is not only a pessimist, but that it is an honest position to hold, particularly if the alternative is “shallow optimism.” And yet Royce strove to offer a pragmatically orientated solution to Schopenhauer’s conclusions. The dispositional and emotional challenge that Schopenhauer represented was central to Royce’s tendency for existential themes, as well as acting as a counter-weight to the praxis-orientated optimism found in his proscriptions for community orientated activities. This article concludes by arguing that Royce was able to construct a practical solution to the pessimistic fatalism of Schopenhauer without abandoning his appreciation for the insights it provides

Aesthetics · Construct (python library · Epistemology · Humanity · Loyalty · Metaphysics · Optimism · Pessimism · Psychoanalysis · Theology · Philosophy · Philosophy, Science, and History · Pragmatism in Philosophy and Education · Psychology

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