On Women by Arthur Schopenhauer [PDF]

Information: On Women

• Author: Arthur Schopenhauer
• Publication Date: 1851
• Main Characters:
  • The Will: Schopenhauer's central philosophical concept, described as a blind, irrational force driving all human behavior, including relations between the sexes
  • Marriage as Institution: Schopenhauer examines monogamy and polygamy across cultures, arguing that marriage laws shape women's social power and economic security
  • Nature vs. Civilization: A recurring tension in the essay between what Schopenhauer sees as natural gender roles and the artificial structures imposed by modern European society
  • Classical Authorities: Schopenhauer frequently cites ancient Greek and Roman writers, Asian traditions, and Napoleonic legal codes to support his arguments about women's nature
  • Aesthetic Judgment: The essay includes Schopenhauer's views on female beauty, connecting physical appearance to his broader theory of aesthetics and the Will's influence on perception
• Brief Summary: In On Women, Schopenhauer argues that women are fundamentally different from men in intellect, temperament, and social function. He draws on examples from ancient and modern cultures to support his claims, weaving in references to classical literature and law. The essay covers topics such as marriage, inheritance, monogamy versus polygamy, and the legal status of women across civilizations. Schopenhauer's tone is deliberately provocative, and his conclusions reflect both his philosophical pessimism and the gender assumptions common in 19th-century Europe. The work is short but dense, packing a wide range of arguments into a few dozen pages.
• Thematic Analysis: The central themes include the nature of gender difference, the social institution of marriage, and the tension between individual desire and societal order. Schopenhauer also explores the idea that nature prioritizes the survival of the species over the happiness of individuals, a theme consistent with his broader philosophy of the Will. The essay touches on aesthetics, law, and cross-cultural comparisons of women's status.
• Historical Context: On Women was published in 1851 as part of Parerga and Paralipomena, a collection of supplementary essays that became Schopenhauer's most commercially successful work. By this time, Schopenhauer was in his sixties and had spent decades in relative obscurity; this collection finally brought him wide recognition. The essay reflects mid-19th-century European attitudes toward gender, predating the major waves of the feminist movement that would challenge many of its assumptions.