Schopenhauer's understanding of religion

The aim of this thesis is to discuss Arthur Schopenhauer's understanding of religion. Arthur Schopenhauer's approach to monotheistic and polytheistic religions has been scrutinized within the study. Schopenhauer's thoughts on the source of religion and his answer to the question of whether religion is necessary or not constitute a central topic of the following pages. His opinions about the relationship between religion, art and knowledge are also tackled to a certain extent. The first chapter of this tripartite study focuses on the life and works of Schopenhauer. General characteristics of the period he lived are discussed separately within this chapter, considering the effects it created on Schopenhauer's thought. The second chapter, which discusses Schopenhauer's understanding of human being and will, mainly deals with his understanding of religion. In the third chapter, Schopenhauer's thought about death and immortality and his opinions about Buddhism and consequently the ways of human salvation are discussed. It is seen that Schopenhauer exhibited a negative attitude towards religions in general. However, it can be said that this negative attitude is mostly against monotheistic religions. While Schopenhauer founds religions like Judaism, Christianity and Islam as intolerant, cruel and far from the truth, he regards the ancient Greek beliefs to be based on tolerance and more moderate. Stating that monotheistic religions are separated from the truth with revelations, miracles and dogmas, Schopenhauer does not regard religions as factors triggering morality and reducing evil. He states that life itself consists of pain and evil, and that man will be saved from this evil by opposing the fact of "will" and by giving importance to art. Key Words: Schopenhauer, Religion, Evil, Will, Buddhism