The Schopenhauer Cure

The Schopenhauer Cure is a 2005 novel by Irvin D. Yalom, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University, an existentialist, and psychotherapist

The Schopenhauer Cure

First edition
Author	Irvin D. Yalom
Country	United States
Language	English
Publisher	HarperCollins
Publication date	2005

The story takes place around group therapies coordinated by Julius Hertzfeld and the influence and participation of a former patient, Philip Slate:

Reaching beyond the safety of his thriving San Francisco practice, Julius feels compelled to seek out Philip Slate, whom he treated for sex addiction some twenty-three years earlier. At that time, Philip's only means of connecting to humans was through brief sexual interludes with countless women, and Julius's therapy did not change that. He meets with Philip who claims to have cured himself-by reading the pessimistic and misanthropic philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer.[1]

The book uses novelties in the world of psychiatry and psychology, with the addition of the philosophy of German 19th-century philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, who claims that "to live is to suffer", inciting the self-knowledge of each individual. The reader is also presented with descriptions attempting to piece together the life of Arthur Schopenhauer:

Arthur's father, Heinrich, was tormented by his son's interests. The headmaster of Arthur's school had informed him that his son had a passion for philosophy, was exceptionally suited for the life of a scholar, and would do well to transfer to a gymnasium which would prepare him for the university. In his heart, Heinrich may have sensed the correctness of the schoolmaster's advice; his son's voracious consumption and comprehension of all works of philosophy, history, and literature in the extensive Schopenhauer library was readily apparent.[2]