Parerga i paralipomena: Artura Schopenhauera myśli o kulturze .......... 63

PARERGA AND PARALIPOMENA: ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER’S THOUGHTS ON CULTURE

The paper describes Schopenhauer’s approach to Buddhism, which – contrary to popular belief views – was relatively well known in his time. Unlike his contemporaries however, Schopenhauer refers to many different sources, including original works by Buddhist commentators, newly translated at that time. Schoppenhauer’s particular theory of evolution, leading to the creation of mankind and subsequently to the rise of culture is also being explained. The originality of Schopenhaure’s idea of culture as resulting from evolution, driven by a metaphysical will, unaware of itself and the rules of existence, is being stressed. The paper also focuses on therapeutical purpose of art.