Schopenhauer's grim philosophy of culture with its honest insight into the human condition is unprecedented. But the influence of other philosophers, from Plato to Kant, as well of Eastern Thought needs to be explored: Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, The Frankfurt School as well as Samuel Beckett fell under his spell. The editor Wolfgang Schirmacher is professor of philosophy and program director at European Graduate School - Europische Universitt fr Interdisziplinre Studien (www.egs.edu) as well as president of the International Schopenhauer Association (www.isv.org). Note: The selected essays in this volume are in different languages, primarily German and English.