Dark Matters: Pessimism and the Problem of Suffering

Dark Matters is an intellectual history of the philosophers who grappled with the problem of evil and the case for why pessimism still holds moral value for us today. It discusses the competing philosophical traditions of optimism and pessimism and makes a compelling case for the rediscovery of pessimism as a source for compassion, consolation, and hope. Mara van der Lugt discusses legendary figures such as Leibniz, Hume, Voltaire, Rousseau, Kant, and Schopenhauer, as well as less familiar names, such as Bayle, King, La Mettrie, and Maupertuis. She reveals how the earliest optimists and pessimists were divided over what an answer to the question of the value of existence should look like and how the crucial moral aim of pessimism is to find a way of speaking about suffering that offers consolation and does justice to the fragility of life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 472 pages
Publication date: 26 September 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, philosophers engaged in heated debates on the question of how God could have allowed evil and suffering in a creation that is supposedly good. This philosophical inquiry, known as the problem of evil, has continued to captivate thinkers throughout history. Dark Matters delves into the origins and evolution of the competing philosophical traditions of optimism and pessimism, which emerged from early modern debates about the problem of evil. By tracing the development of these traditions, the book makes a compelling case for the rediscovery of pessimism as a source for compassion, consolation, and even hope.

The book brings to life one of the most vibrant eras in the history of philosophy, focusing on legendary figures such as Leibniz, Hume, Voltaire, Rousseau, Kant, and Schopenhauer. It also introduces readers to less familiar names, such as Bayle, King, La Mettrie, and Maupertuis. Mara van der Lugt not only explores how the earliest optimists and pessimists were deeply concerned with finding an answer to the question of the value of existence that does justice to the reality of human suffering, but also how they were fundamentally divided over what such an answer should look like.

A breathtaking work of intellectual history, Dark Matters reveals how the crucial moral aim of pessimism is to find a way of speaking about suffering that offers consolation and does justice to the fragility of life. The book challenges readers to consider the complexities of human existence and the profound moral questions that arise from it. It encourages us to embrace a more nuanced and empathetic perspective on suffering and to seek ways of finding meaning and purpose in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, Dark Matters is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy, ethics, and the human condition. It offers a profound and thought-provoking exploration of the problem of evil and the competing philosophical traditions that have grappled with it. Through its engaging narrative and insightful analysis, the book provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the world and our place in it.

Weight: 746g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691226149