Schopenhauer

TL;DR: Schopenhauer's views on guilt and the transcendental argument are examined in this chapter. The chapter outlines his metaphysical view, examines the intelligible/empirical character distinction, and discusses his three conceptions of guilt.

Abstract: This chapter examines Arthur Schopenhauer’s views on guilt as well as his version of the transcendental argument found in Kant and Schelling. The chapter first provides an outline of Schopenhauer’s metaphysical view and then turns, in the second part, to examine the manner in which he understands the intelligible/empirical character distinction. Schopenhauer’s thoughts about guilt are then examined in the chapter’s third part. Here three conceptions of guilt in Schopenhauer are distinguished, and it is then shown that the conception of personal culpability is grounded for Schopenhauer by an eternal and free deed of self-constitution where an individual chooses his or her own intelligible being or character as causa sui.