This innovative volume presents an insightful philosophical portrait of the life and work of Arthur Schopenhauer.

• Focuses on the concept of the sublime as it clarifies Schopenhauer's aesthetic theory, moral theory and asceticism
• Explores the substantial relationships between Schopenhauer's philosophy and Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity
• Defends Schopenhauer's position that absolute truth can be known and described as a blindly striving, all-permeating, universal "Will";
• Examines the influence of Asian philosophy on Schopenhauer
• Describes the relationships between Schopenhauer's thought and that of Hegel, Nietzsche, and Wittgenstein.