The Kantian Roots of Schopenhauer's Pessimism

Schopenhauer was often characterized as the philosopher of pessimism and irrational will, to be placed at the antipodes of the Kantian optimistic and rationalistic system. The theme and goal of this contribution is to show, on the basis of the examination of three interconnected topics, that Schopenhauer's theory does not represent the antithesis of Kant's thought, but rather depends on it. We will point out that both philosophers share following conceptions: 1. the pessimistic concept of nature and history as based on the eternal struggle between their constituting elements; 2. the distinction between empirical and rational consciousness; 3. the idea that human nature is pervaded by an original pain. It is therefore justified, to situate these doctrines of Kant and Schopenhauer within the context of the so-called pre-Darwinian, or better, Lucretian, theories.