No Need for Cheap Commentary Books Anymore. A Complete Dissection of the 200-Year-Old Strong Medicine, Schopenhauer (Part 3) [Revised Edition]
【Genre】Philosophy
日本語(original) | English version | 繁體中文（台灣）版 | Tiếng Việt
This article is a revised and more accessible version based on the piece I wrote between December 28 and 29, 2025.
Hello. This is Akira.
In the previous part (Middle), we discussed how the “Will” swings life like a “pendulum between pain and boredom,” and the paths of art and compassion as ways to distance ourselves from it, even slightly.
This time, we continue from there.
Let’s think carefully about the idea of the “denial of the will” that Schopenhauer ultimately presented, how we can apply it to our modern daily lives, and the connection to Plato, who deeply influenced him.
What Is the Denial of the Will?
Schopenhauer proposed the “denial of the will” as a way to completely detach from the craving of the will.
This does not mean simply suppressing desires or giving up on everything.
Rather, it means approaching a state where you deeply realize that “you can live without being swayed by desires.”
For example, even if you don’t get something you want, you can sincerely think, “It’s okay even without it.”
Or when you can quietly feel, “I am enough as I am right now,” without comparing yourself to others.
In such moments, we can become a little freer from the power of the will — that is what he believed.
(public domain)
Three Practical Paths in Daily Life
Schopenhauer presented three main practical paths to weaken the power of the will.
1. Pure Contemplation Through Art
When we encounter something beautiful, we forget our desires for a moment.
When we simply gaze at a sunset, or when we are immersed in our favorite music, our heart is captivated by the beauty itself.
At that time, the will becomes quiet, and the heart becomes calm.
2. Compassion Toward Others
When we are constantly chasing only our own desires, our heart remains in a state of constant thirst.
However, when we notice others’ pain and a feeling of wanting to stand by them arises, our own craving slightly eases.
Just feeling that “this person may also be suffering in the same way” creates space in the heart.
(original)
3. Ascetic Living (Gradually Reducing Desires)
This is different from mere self-restraint.
It means keeping only what is truly necessary and gradually letting go of unnecessary desires.
Organizing your closet, reducing time on your smartphone, or setting aside days when you avoid sweets —
These small practices reduce the fuel of the will and lighten the heart.
These three paths are interconnected.
When you engage with art, your heart naturally becomes calmer, making it easier for compassion to arise.
When compassion grows stronger, unnecessary desires decrease, and ascetic living becomes easier.
Everything works in a cycle, supporting the peace of the heart.
The Connection to Plato
The “salvation through art” that Schopenhauer valued so highly was actually strongly influenced by Plato.
(public domain)
Plato regarded the world we see in daily life as “something like shadows.”
He taught that art allows us to touch the “true beauty” and “essence” that lie beyond those shadows.
Schopenhauer similarly understood the moments of art as times when we “detach from the craving of the will and feel something close to eternity.”
That is why art is not mere entertainment, but an important path that saves the heart.
When we next consider Plato’s question of “What is the mind?”, this connection should become even clearer.
In Closing — Like a Quiet Sunset
Schopenhauer said, “Life is suffering.”
However, this was not a word of resignation.
Rather, it was a gentle and realistic call: “Because we understand the mechanism of suffering, let us live wisely.”
Instead of continuing to be swayed by the craving of desire,
we touch art, direct compassion toward others,
and gradually let go of desires —
These small practices will gradually make the pendulum of your heart smaller.
Imagine it.
A scene where a calm sunset is reflected on a quiet lake.
Like that moment, the distractions of the will dissolve, and the heart becomes clear.
Schopenhauer’s wisdom is always here.
Please come back here in those fleeting moments.
Days when the pendulum is small and a gentle breeze blows are waiting for you.
(End)
Akira
👤 Profile: https://discipline.tokyo/profile.php
📮 Anonymous Consultation Form: https://discipline.tokyo/contact.php
📚 All Activities Summary: https://discipline.tokyo/index.php
※ This series and related content are the crystallization of my thoughts and are protected by copyright law. Please clearly indicate the source when quoting. Unauthorized reproduction or commercial use is prohibited.
© 2026 Akira All Rights Reserved.
QRコードで即追加 → 秘密の回廊が開く