Schopenhauer and the tragedy: the worth of compassion

Abstract

The following work studies the tragic emotions (fear and compassion) in Schopenhauer and deals especially with compassion, vindicating the positive value of the latter. First, it refers to the theory of Aristotle’s tragedy in order to clarify Schopenhauer’s position. In the second place, it tries to show that compassion has in this author a triple function: aesthetic, ethical and ontological. Finally, a series of questions that give an idea of the novelty and originality of Schopenhauer’s philosophical reflection are examined, with special mention of the educational function of art.