Reconstructing Schopenhauer's Ethics

The volume is intrinsically rewarding and masterfully argued; it improves on some issues with Schopenhauer's thought (e.g., his account of the freedom of will) and establishes groundwork for further development of an environmental ethic that restores unity with the natural world with differing degrees of inherent value. * D.P. Prianti, CHOICE *
The greatest merit of Shapshay's Reconstructing Schopenhauer's Ethics is that it enables one to read Schopenhauer in a completely new way.... Reconstructing Schopenhauer's Ethics is a remarkable achievement that should revitalize contemporary interest in Schopenhauer's philosophy in an era that, surely, needs a lot more compassion — both for human and non-human animals — than is currently being shown. * Society for German Idealism and Romanticism Review *
...[T]his book is one of a kind. I am sure it will become a vigorously discussed landmark in Schopenhauer studies....Korsgaard's incluence on Kantian ethics in the last two decades has been tremendous, and I would not be surprised to see Shapshay, with her exciting new take on Schopenhauer's ethical thought, exercising a similar influence upon Schopenhauer studies. * Dennis Vanden Auweele, KU Leuven, Kantian Review *
This book will change a lot of minds about Schopenhauer. It shows the great appeal of the compassion-based ethics that has been recognized but sidelined in most treatments of him. It argues that this ethical life does not remain a mere second-best (to an unappealing resignation), but gets promoted to primacy as Schopenhauer's thinking evolves. It connects this change with his rethinking his metaphysics, under the influence of proto-Darwinian views. The book's refreshing view of Schopenhauer will give many new reasons to read him. * John Richardson, Professor of Philosophy, New York University *
In this engaging book, Sandra Shapshay presents a new Schopenhauer: not the pessimist endorsing resignation, but an ethicist of hope and compassion. Shapshay argues for this provocative interpretation with historical and textual sensitivity; she makes a persuasive case that Schopenhauer's compassionate realism is a distinctive and compelling ethical position. * Rachel Zuckert, Professor of Philosophy, Northwestern University *
This elegantly written book provides a much-needed rehabilitation of Schopenhauer as an ethical theorist. Shapshay resists the dominant portrayal of Schopenhauer as a life-denying pessimist, and argues that his moral theory, which advocates of a life of compassionate action, stands in its own right. Schopenhauer emerges as a hopeful and progressive thinker, who widens the circle of compassion to encompass all sentient beings. * Christopher Janaway, Professor of Philosophy, University of Southampton *