The World as Will and Idea (Vol. 2 of 3)

and the Supplements to the First and Part of the Second Book of Vol. I. “Paucis natus est, qui populum ætatis suæ cogitat.” — Sen. Sixth Edition London Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. 1909 Contents Appendix: Criticism of the Kantian Philosophy. Supplements to the First Book. First Half. The Doctrine Of The Idea Of Perception. (To 1-7 of the First Standpoint of Idealism. Doctrine of Perception or Knowledge Of The Understanding. Senses. Knowledge A Priori . Second Half. The Doctrine of the Abstract Idea, or Thinking. Irrational Intellect. Doctrine of Abstract or Rational Knowledge. Relation of the Concrete Knowledge of Perception to Abstract Knowledge. Theory Of The Ludicrous. In General. Syllogism. Rhetoric. Doctrine Of Science. Methods Of Mathematics. Association Of Ideas. Essential Imperfections Of The Intellect. Practical Use Of Reason And On Stoicism. Man's Need Of Metaphysics. Supplements to the Second Book. Possibility Of Knowing The Thing In Itself. Primacy Of The Will In Self-Consciousness. Objectification Of The Will In The Animal Organism. Note On What Has Been Said About Bichat. Footnotes [pg 003] Appendix: Criticism of the Kantian Philosophy. C'est le privilège du vrai génie, et surtout du génie qui ouvre une carrière, de faire impunément de grandes fautes.— Voltaire. It is much easier to point out the faults and errors in the work of a great mind than to give a distinct and full exposition of its value. For the faults are particular and finite, and can therefore be fully comprehended; while, on the contrary, the very stamp which genius impresses upon its works is that their excellence is unfathomable and inexhaustible. Therefore they do not grow old, but become the instructor of many succeeding centuries. The perfected masterpiece of a truly great mind will always produce a deep and powerful effect upon the whole human race, so much so that it is impossible to calculate to what distant centuries and lands its enlightening influence may extend. This is always the case; for however cultivated and rich the age may be in which such a masterpiece appears, genius always rises like a palm-tree above the soil in which it is rooted. But a deep-reaching and widespread effect of this kind cannot take place suddenly, because of the great difference between the genius and ordinary men. The knowledge which that one man in one lifetime drew directly from life and the world, won and presented to others…