ABSTRACT
It is now necessary to enter into a more detailed introductory discussion of the central issues vis-à-vis Schopenhauer’s philosophy with which this book is concerned. Hence this chapter will touch upon questions which are fundamental to philosophy and theology alike, in order to chart the methodological path which Schopenhauer’s thought takes. We have been seeking to illustrate that the relationship between the thought of Arthur Schopenhauer and religion is less antagonistic than many commentators presume. It is a critical interpretation rather than a rejection of religion which one finds in his thought: Schopenhauer regards religious belief systems as explanatory hypotheses. We now seek to illustrate further how Schopenhauer actually displays a much more ‘two-sided’ attitude towards religion. He offers both positive and negative evaluations of the phenomena of religious belief. It is important to appreciate that Schopenhauer’s critique of religion relates to his own quest for the ‘truth’ about existence. Because of this fact, in many places, Schopenhauer appears to regard religion as an inferior form of explanatory hypothesis in comparison to metaphysical systems which are based upon critical philosophy.
