Aesthetic Knowledge and Self-Knowledge in Schopenhauer: To What Extent Should We Allow Tracing an Analogy Between Them?

Abstract

It is not at all a novelty the fact that Schopenhauer has traced deep connections between both the ethical and the aesthetical realm. This particular aspect has not been overlooked by his contemporary scholars. Nevertheless, they failed to see a special connection: the one that allows linking Schopenhauer´s aesthetic theory with his doctrine of the acquired character. Robert Wicks possesses the merit of having drawn attention on that. In this paper I will attempt accordingly to focus on the connection between character and aesthetics, taking into consideration Robert Wicks’ interpretation. Nevertheless, the latter is problematic and is then subject to some criticisms. The aim of this paper is to make explicit these criticisms in order to assess, at the end, the plausibility of Wicks’ understanding of this topic.