A relevância ética da contemplação estética
Ethic@: an International Journal for Moral Philosophy July 7, 2014 Margit Ruffing
Schopenhauer's philosophy presents the world as will and representation, structured in four books. The third book, on aesthetic contemplation, is argued to be central to his system because it describes a mental state—'Besonnenheit' (thoughtfulness or composure)—that is both a condition for knowledge and a foundation for human morality. The capacity for moral action is already present in aesthetic contemplation, which enables a disinterested, will-free perception. This article interprets aesthetic theory as a philosophy of consciousness, showing how the ability to transcend individual will through art makes moral behavior possible.