Inaugural Lecture - Professor Chris Janaway Event

'Is Suffering an Objection to Life? Nietzsche's Answer to Schopenhauer'

The lecture will look at some views held by the nineteenth-century philosophers Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) and Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900).  Both place great significance on the place of suffering in human life.  Schopenhauer inaugurated a pessimistic school of thought by analysing existence as chiefly consisting of unfulfilled desire and suffering.  Nietzsche initially took up many of Schopenhauer’s ideas, but rebelled against his negative assessment of life and of suffering.  Suffering for Nietzsche is an important part of well-being because it enables growth.  The lecture will attempt to explain and evaluate their differing views.

This lecture will be chaired by the Dean of Humanities and Professor of Medieval History, Professor Anne Curry.

Each of the Inaugural Lecture in Humanities will have an end of lecture collection for the speaker's nominated charity.  For his lecture Professor Janaway has chosen to support Samaritans.

This is a free lecture however you must register to attend and to receive joining instructions.  To register please email tps@southampton.ac.uk by 24 May.