Why Modern Life Feels Empty - Arthur Schopenhauer’s Answer to Chasing Happiness

Why Modern Life Feels Empty - Arthur Schopenhauer’s Answer to Chasing Happiness

Modern life often feels empty because we’re always chasing happiness, through success, money, or recognition, yet it never seems to last. Arthur Schopenhauer believed this endless desire is driven by a force inside us, which he called the Will, and it’s the root of human suffering. He showed how we get stuck in a cycle of wanting more, feeling restless, and never being satisfied. But instead of ignoring this problem, Schopenhauer offers ways to rise above it, through art, reflection, and compassion, so we can stop running and start understanding life. His ideas remind us to think for ourselves, question what truly matters, and focus on things that bring real meaning instead of just temporary distractions.

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00:00 Intro

01:04 The Will as the Core of Existence

03:12 Suffering as Inescapable

04:55 Critique of the Masses and Social Conformity

06:29 Materialism and Capitalism as Illusions

09:30 Art and Philosophy as Escape

12:14 Ethics and Compassion as Answers

14:59 Conclusion