The World as Will And Idea, Volume 1
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The World as Will And Idea, Volume 1
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Narrated by:
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Leighton Pugh
About this listen
Schopenhauer was just 30 when his magnum opus, Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung, a work of considerable learning and innovation of thought, first appeared in 1818.
Much to his chagrin and puzzlement (so convinced was he of its merits), it didn't have an immediate effect on European philosophy, views and culture. It was only decades later that it was recognised as one of the major intellectual landmarks of the 19th century. It proved to be a work that was not only to make an indelible impression on leading figures that followed him closely - Friedrich Nietzsche, Thomas Mann, Sigmund Freud - but also others well into the 20th century, including Carl Jung, Herman Hesse, Jorge Luis Borges, Karl Popper and Samuel Beckett.
What was the Schopenhauerian proposition that made The World as Will and Idea so important? Absorbing views from Kant and Buddhist ideas filtering almost for the first time through Europe, Schopenhauer, putting the concept of God aside, proposed that man is driven by 'a will to life'; desire, craving, wanting - these are the elements that propel him fiercely along life's path, even though it causes him suffering. It is on that basis that Schopenhauer opens the work with the statement 'the world is my idea'. Man perceives the sun and the earth but can relate to them only through his own consciousness. He makes his own world.
Though stamped as a pessimist, and certainly combative as a personality and a writer, Schopenhauer’s work - and The World as Will and Idea - doesn't read darkly. Instead it is rich and challenging, as he surveys broadly philosophy, history, art, literature, music and culture generally. His opinions are strong and testing, his breadth of knowledge invigorating.
The translation recorded here is the classic rendering by R. B. Haldane. However, the numerous literary and philosophical references - Greek, Latin, German, French, Persian, etc - in both the main text and the relevant footnotes are given here in English. Thus Schopenhauer's major work can be absorbed and enjoyed directly - and especially in this intelligent, clear and committed narration by the actor and German scholar Leighton Pugh. Schopenhauer has had a long and continuing influence extending well into the 21st century, and The World as Will and Idea is one of the great stepping-stones of European thought which needs to be listened to. He added a subsequent volume later in his life, but volume 1 is the major work.
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What listeners say about The World as Will And Idea, Volume 1
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kieran McLoughlin
- 06-03-24
A wonderful book on Philosophy
Having really started to delve into philosophy, reading the great minds. Having started with Kant and knowing this is a sort of a response to it, Schopenhauer proves why he's been such a influential mind. Deep and poetic, with many aspects which can still apply today, I will be delving further into Schopenhauer. Would recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- DUDE=BY-FAR
- 04-02-18
Exceptional insight.
The author, a genius In his own right. I feel really privileged to have allowed myself to enjoy such a brilliant work. I can't wait to start the book 2. I will be burying myself in more of his works for a long time. Freedom!.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Hawfinch
- 25-02-17
Excellent reading
This is the first volume of Haldane & Kemp's 19th century 3-volume translation of Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung. (Schopenhauer published his work in German in 2 volumes. For their English translation, Haldane & Kemp split vol.2 into 2 further volumes.)
Although there are better modern English editions of the work, notably Christopher Janaway's for Cambridge University Press, this translation is clear and enjoyable. The reading by Leighton Pugh is one of the best I've heard for any philosophy audiobook. For once, the reader seems to comprehend the text, and you get the impression of the author speaking to you directly.
I hope that Ukemi & Leighton Pugh proceed with readings of the additional volumes.
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10 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Darragh
- 16-06-21
How can you review this
The essence in which this book trys to convey is the magic in phenomenology in my opinion. Boredom and pain being the two main obstacles in life apparently, He makes great sence of the door and frame but the book can only get you there without his own personal experience, the magic that vanishes with any attempt to explain it or capture it in any way.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Tristan
- 14-02-20
Difficult to follow
My IQ and grammar clearly not up to scratch. Found it hard to follow any of the points being made.
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5 people found this helpful