Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) is one of the most representative philosophers of German thought and is considered the master of deep pessimism. His father was a merchant and writer mother, as a young man came into contact with personalities of his time as Goethe and Wieland. His career as a university professor was marked by confrontation with Hegel who enjoyed great popularity. After several trips to Italy and fruitless attempts to teach in the University of Berlin, Schopenhauer settled in Frankfurt where he spent the last 28 years of his life.