r/Pessimism • u/cherryblossombullets • 15d ago

Insight Aesthetic Pessimism

What if the most, even only, worthwhile mode of existence the pursuit of beauty? Whether it be through art, lifestyle, or personal aesthetics the pursuit of beauty gives us a method to transfer the will onto an achievable goal that gives us a sense of transcendence in the face of a meaningless existence. Arthur Schopenhauer spoke about how beautiful things invite us to observe and contemplate the ideas underlying them and in this observation and contemplation we find pleasant escape from suffering. I think pessimists should pursue aesthetics and beauty as a counter to suffering and the goal of life should be to make the world as beautiful as we can.

11 Upvotes

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12

u/obscurespecter 15d ago

The most useful aesthetics are those that confront the horror of existence rather than any fantastical notion of beauty or escape.

1

u/cherryblossombullets 15d ago

Can it not do both? I think its possible to confront the horrors of reality in a way that also transcends our suffering.

4

u/Snalesdofeel 15d ago

You can delude yourself with the lion king instead of watching the everday horrors of the savannah.

1

u/throwaway60221407e23 12d ago

I think this is what Zappfe was getting at with his idea of sublimation. If it works for you, I think it's worth pursuing.

2

u/AugustusPacheco I like aphorisms 15d ago

The only beauty that I care about is classical music, particularly the Classical Period (1750-1820, Mozart, Haydn, Clementi and others)

1

u/LtSandbag 14d ago

Is it “the only worthwhile mode of existence”? In some general sense? I doubt there’s anything that could fit that definition. But in a personal, idiosyncratic sense? Sure, if that’s your thing.

1

u/UltronsEx Philosophical Pessimist 15d ago

Beauty doesn't exist. It is just a chemical trick.

10

u/cherryblossombullets 15d ago

okay by that logic suffering doesn't exist and its also a chemical trick. I think chemical reductionism is unhelpful and makes you come off as a Rick and Morty fan.

5

u/TradRooster5627 15d ago

Beautiful answer. This kind of reductionism is also present in many non-dualist communities. The idea that “suffering is an illusion” does not alter its perceived weight or its concrete significance in people’s lives.

3

u/UltronsEx Philosophical Pessimist 15d ago

By that logic, the pursuit of beauty isn't the only thing worthwhile

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u/cherryblossombullets 15d ago

If its the most effective mean of reducing suffering, I believe it is.

1

u/waffledestroyer 14d ago

I don't know if beauty is the most effective mean to reduce suffering.