Part 9/14:
Even those searching for meaning—through careers, relationships, or family—often fall prey to illusions that conceal an intrinsic nihilism at the heart of their pursuits. Schopenhauer compels us to consider what would happen if we renounced these deceptions, confronting a world stripped of comforting narratives.
The Burden of Intelligence
Schopenhauer also grapples with what it means to be intelligent in a world so largely indifferent to suffering. Contrary to the belief that knowledge liberates us, he provocatively posits that greater intelligence only amplifies our awareness of life's absurdity and inherent suffering. The more insight one possesses, the more one's suffering intensifies, as realism reveals the limitations of human existence.