In recent years, the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer has experienced a revival in the degree of interest it has attracted. This book covers a perceived gap in the scholarship, focusing on his moral philosophy and his ideas on religion and theology.

This work challenges the textbook assessment of Schopenhauer as militant atheist and absolute pessimist. In examining Schopenhauer's grappling with religion, theology and Kant's moral philosophy, Mannion suggests we can actually discern a 'religious' humility in method in Schopenhauer's work, seen most clearly in his ethics of compassion and his doctrine of salvation. Given current debates between theologians and philosophers in relation to 'postmodernity' and 'postmodern thought', this book illustrates that Schopenhauer should be a key figure in such debates.

'... the book is a valuable and original contribution to the growing stream of publications on Schopenhauer.' Ethical Perspectives '... Gerard Mannion offers his readers a judiciously thought out, innovative and well researched 'religious' interpretation of Schopenhauer [...] that does full justice, in a way that few other commentators do, to the mystical elements of his thought. It is thus an original and desirable contribution to the existing secondary literature on Schopenhauer: an impressive monograph in itself, as well as being a rich source of information, reference and argument for philosophers and theologians interested in Schopenhauer's philosophy, most particularly insofar as it connects, as it so often does, with religious concerns.' Heythrop Journal