INTRODUCTORY. 77 



the earlier systems. A general scepticism settled upon 

 men's minds, a deep-seated doubt as to the capacity of 

 the human intellect to solve its highest problems. At 

 the same time the failure of the theoretical politicians, 

 which the events of the year 1848 had made only too 

 evident, assisted in producing a general discouragement, 

 so far as the highest practical, as well as intellectual, 

 interests were concerned. 



Under these circumstances the philosophy of Schopen- 

 hauer came to many younger minds as a kind of revela- 

 tion. It was sufficiently speculative to satisfy the 

 idealistic craving; it summed up its teaching in an 

 intelligible formula; it supported its doctrines by a 

 great wealth of artistic insight ; and it contrasted favour- 

 ably with the writings of Hegel by the elegance and 

 lucidity of its literary style. Add to this, that it was 

 highly spiced by brilliant and unsparing invective against 

 the philosophers who had so long, by unfulfilled promises, 

 led the nation astray ; it was also the first attempt in 

 Germany to drop, in the discussion of the highest 

 problems, the professorial and academic tone, which to 

 many practically minded people had assumed too much 

 of self - assurance and the pride of infallibility. Un- 

 fortunately the theoretical principles of Schopenhauer's 

 philosophy were, in their practical application to ethical 

 problems, joined to a pessimistic view of the world and 

 life. This had its origin in personal traits of character, 61 . 

 and was fostered through the study of the philosophy of 



pessimism 



the Last, then newly introduced into Europe. It was an accident. 

 opposed to the spirit of Plato, which likewise influenced 

 Schopenhauer, and it stands in no logical connection with 



