Christopher Janaway Books

With the publication of Parerga and Paralipomena in 1851, there finally came some measure of the fame that Schopenhauer thought was his due. Described by Schopenhauer himself as 'incomparably more popular than everything up till now', Parerga is a miscellany of essays addressing themes that complement his work The World as Will and Representation, along with more divergent, speculative pieces. It includes essays on method, logic, the intellect, Kant, pantheism, natural science, religion, education, and language. The present volume offers a new translation, a substantial introduction explaining the context of the essays, and extensive editorial notes on the different published versions of the work. This readable and scholarly edition will be an essential reference for those studying Schopenhauer, the history of philosophy, and nineteenth-century German philosophy.

With the publication of the Parerga and Paralipomena in 1851, there finally came some measure of the fame that Schopenhauer thought was his due. Described by Schopenhauer himself as 'incomparably more popular than everything up till now', the Parerga is a miscellany of essays addressing themes that complement his work The World as Will and Representation, along with more divergent, speculative pieces. It includes his 'Aphorisms on the Wisdom of Life', reflections on fate and clairvoyance, trenchant views on the philosophers and universities of his day, and an enlightening survey of the history of philosophy. The present volume offers a new translation, a substantial introduction explaining the context of the essays, and extensive editorial notes on the different published versions of the work. This readable and scholarly edition will be an essential reference for those studying Schopenhauer, the history of philosophy, and nineteenth-century German philosophy.

Focusing on Nietzsche's exploration of moral philosophy, this commentary delves into 'On the Genealogy of Morality' through detailed analysis of significant passages. It examines Nietzsche's broader objectives, providing valuable insights for scholars and historians interested in the evolution of moral thought. This work serves as an essential resource for understanding the complexities of Nietzsche's ideas and their impact on philosophical discourse.

Comprising eight essays, this collection examines Nietzsche's changing conceptions in response to the work of Schopenhauer, whom he called his great teacher. Also provided is a critical piece Nietzsche wrote about Schopenhauer in 1868.

Designed for readers with no or little prior knowledge of the subject, this concise anthology brings together key texts in aesthetics and the philosophy of art. Designed for readers with no or little prior knowledge of the subject. Presents two contrasting pieces on each of six topics.

This volume comprises ten original essays on Nietzsche, one of the western canon's most controversial ethical thinkers. An international team of experts clarify Nietzsche's own views, both critical and positive, ethical and meta-ethical, and connect his philosophical concerns to contemporary debates in and about ethics, normativity, and value.

Janaway presents a full commentary on Nietzsche's most studied work, 'On the Genealogy of Morality', and combines close reading of key passages with an exploration of Nietzsche's wider aims. The book will be essential reading for historians of moral philosophy.

Plato's critique of the arts is reevaluated, presenting a more nuanced understanding of his arguments against poetry, drama, and music. Janaway contends that Plato's perspective is not merely dismissive but offers a coherent challenge that remains relevant in contemporary discussions of aesthetics. By situating Plato's views within his broader philosophical framework, the book explores how his criticisms continue to influence modern debates about art, suggesting that the discourse around "good art" is complex and deeply rooted in Plato's original assertions.

This book gives a succinct explanation of Schopenhauer's metaphysical system, concentrating on the original aspects of thought which inspired many artists and thinkers such as Nietzsche, Wagner, Freud, and Wittgenstein. Schopenhauer's central notion is that of the will - a blind, irrational force which he uses to interpret both the human mind and the whole of nature. Christopher Janaway confronts Schopenhauer's uncompromising, pessimistic view that for the human individual non-existence would be preferable, and his claim that only aesthetic experience and saintly self-denial - escape from the will - can give life value. Schopenhauer is revealed as a challenging, progressive, and highly influential thinker.

"Philosophy is intriguing even to those who know little of it. But the sort of philosophy studied at universities is difficult to enter into on one's own. Reading Philosophy was designed to overcome this difficulty. It is a book for those who want genuinely to engage with the subject, either on their own or in the context of taught introductory courses"-- Provided by publisher