Review: The World as Will and Presentation, Volume One

• May 4, 2008
• James Skemp
• philosophy, review

A brief history of my previous experiences with Schopenhauer: I first read Schopenhauer's The World as Will and Representation (the Payne, definitive, translation) many years ago. I've also read a number of Schopenhauer's other works (mostly done by Payne) and have tried to pick up as many other works of his as I can.

For the most part, I find that Schopenhauer's philosophy most closely matched/matches my own.

That said, I saw and picked up this translation with a bit of hesitation. The World as Will and *Presentation*? Why go beyond Payne's standard translation?

However, as I read the translator's introduction, I saw that my fears were unnecessary. Aquila (and probably Carus, once Volume 2 finally comes out and we can read it) have given us a truly remarkable book.

Aquila not only knows that Payne's translations are the standards, he doesn't seem to desire to change that. Instead, Aquila has presented us with a new translation, geared towards those new to Schopenhauer. In this sense, while Payne may remain the standard, definitive, translation, I see these new translations becoming the classroom standard.

• arthur schopenhauer