The indestructible will: a critical examination of Arthur Schopenhauer’s theory of athanasia
| dc.contributor.advisor | Hattingh, J. P. | en_ZA |
| dc.contributor.author | Bloomberg, Jonti Joey | en_ZA |
| dc.contributor.other | Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Philosophy. | en_ZA |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-01-11T07:03:46Z | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-04-21T14:26:16Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-01-11T07:03:46Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-04-21T14:26:16Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2021-03 | |
| dc.description | Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2021. | en_ZA |
| dc.description.abstract | ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Arthur Schopenhauer, a nineteenth-century German philosopher, advocated a unique theory of immortality (athanasia). The present study attempts to indicate that, in spite of the ingeniousness and consolatory appeal of his theory, it is ultimately – according to an orthodox interpretation which wholly identifies the Will with the so-called “thingin- itself” – untenable and erroneous. In arriving at the aforementioned conclusion, the study attempts to argue that the two pillars upon which Schopenhauer’s theory of athanasia is based are flawed, viz., that the world cannot be entirely mind-dependent and that the Will cannot be considered an explication of the elusive Kantian “thing-initself”. The study explores, among other topics, Schopenhauer’s arguments for radical idealism, the compatibility of Schopenhauer’s evolutionary views with that of his radical idealism, the status of the mind within his philosophy, the notion of the Will as a concept and as a product of intellectual intuition, as well as the Will being susceptible to the influences of time, space and causality. The study has been divided into two primary sections: in the first part, a detailed overview of Schopenhauer’s philosophy is presented; this is necessary in so far as Schopenhauer is a systematic thinker, hence, in order for one to fully comprehend his theory of athanasia, it is necessary for one to first acquaint oneself with his two most significant and fundamental notions, viz., his radical idealism and his claim that the Will is the “thing-in-itself”. Once these matters have been presented and discussed, the study turns in earnest to a consideration of Schopenhauer’s theory of immortality. In the second part of the study, the two fundamental pillars of Schopenhauer’s philosophy are subjected to a thorough critique in order to ultimately illustrate the untenability of his theory of athanasia. As part of this enterprise, the study includes an appendix which attempts to illustrate that the Will as “thing-in-itself” is not insusceptible to the law of causation, thereby undermining one of Schopenhauer’s claims for its indestructibility. | en_ZA |
| dc.description.abstract | AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Arthur Schopenhauer, ‘n negentiende-eeuse Duitse filosoof, het ‘n unieke teorie van onsterflikheid (athanasia) voorgestaan. Hierdie studie poog om aan te toon dat, ten spyte van die vindingrykheid en die vertroostende appél van die teorie, dit uiteindelik onhoudbaar en onjuis is. Ter begronding van die bogenoemde konklusie, poog die studie om aan te toon dat die twee pilare waarop Schopenhauer sy teorie van athanasia basseer, naamlik dat die wêreld nie volledig afhanklik van die bewussyn kan wees nie, en dat die Wil nie beskou kan word as ‘n veruiterliking van die ontwykende Kantiaanse “ding-in-sigelf” nie, gebreke vertoon. Benewens ander onderwerpe, verken die studie Schopenhauer se argumente vir ‘n radikale idealisme, die versoenbaarheid van Schopenhauer se opvatting van evolusie en sy radikale idealisme, die status van die bewussyn in sy filosofie, die idee van die Wil as ‘n konsep en as ‘n produk van intellektuele intuïsie, asook dat die Wil onderhewig is aan die invloede van tyd, ruimte en oorsaaklkiheid. Hierdie studie is verdeel in twee primêre afdelings: in die eerste deel word ‘n gedetaileerde oorsig aangebied van Schopenhauer se filosofie; wat noodsaaklik is omdat Schopenhauer ‘n sistematiese denker is, en dus vereis ‘n volledige begrip van sy teorie van athanasia, dat ‘n mens eers op hoogte gestel moet word van sy twee mees belangrike en fundamentele opvattings, naamlik sy radikale idealisme, en sy stelling dat die Wil die “ding-in-sigself” is. Teen die agtergrond hiervan word Schopenhauer se teorie van onsterflikheid in alle erns oorweeg. In die tweede deel van die studie word die twee fundamentele pilare van Schopenhauer se denke onderwerp aan ‘n deeglike kritiek, om uiteindelik die onhoudbaarheid van sy teorie van athanasia aan te toon. As deel van hierdie onderneming sluit die studie ‘n aanhangsel in wat poog om te illustreer dat die Wil as “ding-in-sigself” nie onafhanklik is van die wet van oorsaaklikheid nie, waardeur een van die gronde wat Schopenhauer aanbied vir sy aanspraak dat die Wil onvernietigbaar is, ondermyn word. | af_ZA |
| dc.description.version | Doctoral | en_ZA |
| dc.format.extent | viii, 342 pages | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/109787 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_ZA | en_ZA |
| dc.publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University | en_ZA |
| dc.rights.holder | Stellenbosch University | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Schopenhauer, Arthur, 1788-1860. | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Immortality (Philosophy) | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Will | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Idealism | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | UCTD | |
| dc.title | The indestructible will: a critical examination of Arthur Schopenhauer’s theory of athanasia | en_ZA |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_ZA |