Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) devoted his whole life to intellectual pursuits. In particular, he gave extensive thought to their contribution to happiness. John Vespasian explains that intellectual pursuits are commendable when they help fight the negative influence of the will. I mean intellectual pursuits, studies and debates that render individuals self-aware, prudent, and self-reliant. Those intellectual pursuits vastly contribute to increasing happiness. In contrast, Schopenhauer discouraged intellectual pursuits that generate desires, goals and ambitions impossible to fulfil. Life is hard enough, he argued, to add pointless anxiety, stress, and frustration. Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/schopenhauers-views-on-intellectual-pursuits/

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