Abstract:
In this paper, the author reflects on the concept of second-person perspective in Schopenhauer’s moral philosophy, with a special emphasis on his ethics of compassion and moral psychology. By referring to some of the pioneers who introduced the concept of second-person perspective into philosophy, the author first tries to define the terms: second-person perspective and second-person relatedness. After that, he argues (1) that Schopenhauer’s ethics of compassion has a second-person character, (2) that the concept of second-person perspective can help in a better understanding of his moral philosophy, and (3) that the latter concept is closely related to compassion – the basis of Schopenhauer’s moral theory. In doing so, the author is putting forward the thesis that the concept of second-person perspective can be used as a key for interpreting Schopenhauer’s moral philosophy. The author believes that there are at least five elements of Schopenhauer’s moral philosophy (i.e., his ethics of compassion and moral psychology) that reflect the second-person character of his theory. These elements include: compassion, self-overcoming, humility, intersubjectivity, and moral responsibility. Finally, the author gives general remarks, which he believes are valid for Schopenhauer’s theory of morality, and from which further implications can be drawn for a future investigation of his ethics of compassion.
Keywords:
Arthur Schopenhauer, moral philosophy, ethics, second-person perspective, second-person relatedness, compassion, metaphysics
How to cite:
Defrančeski, Jan. “On the Second-Person Perspective in Schopenhauer’s Moral Philosophy.” Eidos. A Journal for Philosophy of Culture 9, no. 2 (2025): 230-248. https://doi.org/10.14394/eidos.jpc.2025.0020.
Author:
Jan Defrančeski
University Centre for Integrative Bioethics, University of Zagreb
Ivana Lučića 1a, HR–10000 Zagreb, Croatia
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1811-2396
jdefranceski@gmail.com
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