We can come to look upon the deaths of our enemies with as much regret as we feel for those of our friends, namely, when we miss their existence as witnesses to our success.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
Philosophy ... is a science, and as such has no articles of faith; accordingly, in it nothing can be assumed as existing except what is either positively given empirically, or demonstrated through indubitable conclusions.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Philosophy relies on empirical evidence and logical reasoning, rejecting assumptions without proof.
In this quote, Arthur Schopenhauer emphasizes that philosophy should be treated as a science that requires empirical evidence or irrefutable reasoning to support claims. He suggests that unlike religion or beliefs based on faith, philosophical inquiries must be grounded in observable reality or established logical principles, thus highlighting the importance of critical thinking and skepticism in philosophical discussions.
Themes
PhilosophyScienceEmpiricalReasonEvidence
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on ethics, one might quote Schopenhauer to underscore the importance of evidence in moral philosophy.
More from Arthur Schopenhauer
All quotes →To be shocked at how deeply rejection hurts is to ignore what acceptance involves. We must never allow our suffering to be compounded by suggestions that there is something odd in suffering so deeply. There would be something amiss if we didn't.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
Almost all of our sorrows spring out of our relations with other people.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
Life is full of troubles and vexations, that one must either rise above it by means of corrected thoughts, or leave it.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
Our religions will never at any time take root; the ancient wisdom of the human race will not be supplanted by the events in Galilee. On the contrary, Indian wisdom flows back to Europe, and will produce a fundamental change in our knowledge and thought.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
We will gradually become indifferent to what goes on in the minds of other people when we acquire a knowledge of the superficial nature of their thoughts, the narrowness of their views and of the number of their errors. Whoever attaches a lot of value to the opinions of others pays them too much honor.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
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