Arthur Schopenhauer and David Hume: The Influence of Skepticism on Philosophy

Arthur Schopenhauer, a keen proponent of philosophical skepticism, was deeply influenced by the works of David Hume. This influence is a central thread running through Schopenhauer's magnum opus, The World as Will and Representation. In this article, we explore the extent to which Schopenhauer adopted Hume's views and the significance of Hume's work in shaping Schopenhauer's philosophical outlook.

Did Schopenhauer Read Hume's Work?

It is unequivocal that Schopenhauer engaged with David Hume's works. In his The World as Will and Representation, Schopenhauer explicitly acknowledges the impact of Hume's ideas, particularly regarding skepticism, the limits of human understanding, and the nature of causality and reality. Hume's empiricism, which emphasizes the limits of human understanding, resonated with Schopenhauer's own philosophical outlook, as documented in his critique of rationalism and the role of the will in human life.

How Much Did Hume Influence Schopenhauer?

A better question is not whether Schopenhauer read Hume's work, but rather, how much did Hume influence Schopenhauer's philosophy. Schopenhauer's views on free will, as articulated in his work, bear a striking resemblance to Hume's. What follows is a critical examination of this influence, grounded in the text of The Basis of Morality.

Schopenhauer's view of free will, as expressed in his work, is fundamentally akin to Hume's. Hume famously stated that free will is 'absurd in one sense and unintelligible in any other.' Schopenhauer, in his own writings, aligns closely with this perspective. The difference lies in the extremity of the similar view, not in the view itself.

Evidence of Influence in Schopenhauer's Philosophy

The significance of Hume's influence can be seen in Schopenhauer's views on free will as presented in his work The Basis of Morality. The following excerpt from Schopenhauer is particularly revealing of the shared intellectual territory between the two philosophers:

By itself it does not prove identicalness that bestows the title of science. It is a critical part of mounting evidence of identicalness of an all important view within the MIND.

Source: Arthur Schopenhauer, “The Basis of Morality”

The Core of the Discussion

Further evidence of the influence of Hume on Schopenhauer can be found in the philosophy's application across temporal and intellectual disciplines. For instance, Adam Smith, a contemporary and notable figure, applied the same understanding that Hume and Schopenhauer shared, and it made him a leading figure in the field of economics. Similarly, Charles Darwin, another notable intellectual, integrated these ideas to become a prominent biologist.

One critical passage from the text of The Basis of Morality underscores the importance of this shared understanding:

“..if the character of a man and all the motives which work on him were exactly known his conduct could be calculated as certainly and as precisely as an eclipse of the moon... he nevertheless makes an assumption of freedom although only idealiter and as a postulate by his celebrated conclusion: precious ethical basis which as we see floats in the air incorporeal.”

Source: Arthur Schopenhauer, “The Basis of Morality”

This passage demonstrates the importance of this shared intellectual view and its applicability across various disciplines, from economics to biology. It suggests that the influence of Hume on Schopenhauer extended beyond philosophy to the broader realm of intellectual inquiry.

In conclusion, the influence of David Hume on Arthur Schopenhauer's work is profound and significant, particularly in the realm of skepticism and the nature of free will. The shared understanding of these ideas across various thinkers, from Adam Smith to Charles Darwin, underscores the enduring value and relevance of Hume's influence on Schopenhauer's thought.