Single Idea 21380

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / c. Purpose of ethics]

Full Idea

Nothing else can be stated as the aim of our existence except the knowledge that it would be better for us not to exist.

Gist of Idea

The only aim of our existence is to grasp that non-existence would be better

Source

Arthur Schopenhauer (The World as Will and Idea [1819], II 605), quoted by Christopher Janaway - Schopenhauer 8 'Denial'

Book Reference

Janaway,Christopher: 'Schopenhauer' [OUP 2002], p.110


A Reaction

Nonsense on stilts. Nietzsche rebelled against this. If there is such 'knowledge' then it obviously has nothing to do with the aim of our existence. It is just a rejection of aims. The aim is making the best of existence, not spurning it.

Related Idea

Idea 18231 Anaxagoras said a person would choose to be born to contemplate the ordered heavens [Anaxagoras]