The Philosophy of Disenchantment

by Edgar Saltus

"The trite and commonplace question of contentment and dissatisfaction is a topic which is not only of every-day interest, but one which in recent years has so claimed the attention of thinkers, that they have broadly divided mankind into those who accept life offhand, as a more or less pleasing possession, and those who resolutely look the gift in the mouth and say it is not worth the having." Pessimistic philosophical treatise.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

233 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1885

About the author

Edgar Evertson Saltus was an American writer known for his highly refined prose style. Saltus received a law degree from Columbia University in 1880.
Saltus wrote two books of philosophy, The Philosophy of Disenchantment and The Anatomy of Negation. Acclaimed by fellow writers in his day, Saltus fell into obscurity after his death.

Reviews

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not as sweeping as The Anatomy of Negation, Saltus's first philosophical work still shines with pithy statements and great insight. Rather than spending a few paragraphs with over a dozen great thinkers, the author spends chapters on only a few. Schopenhauer's views are well covered, and Von Hartmann is probably given too much credence.

The passages regarding Giacomo Leopardi are nice, and the most surprising thing to find in the book is the excellent explanation of Kant's das Ding an sich (the thing in itself).

The author's own lines about pessimism and the value of life sum things up expertly. The two works together say nearly everything Ligotti's recent work, The Conspiracy Against the Human Race, says and more, and these were written in the late 19th century, compared to Ligotti's 2010 treatise.

In every review of Edgar Saltus's work or life it is mentioned that he is largely forgotten today. Too bad. If you happen on one of his books or even shorter writings you will not only be pleased with the style but alarmed at the insight of a man who is now lost in the shuffle of "great thinkers." With such a drought when it comes to great American writers and philosophers, it is hard to believe this guy is not set atop with Faulkner, William James, and the like. He deserves it. Lucky for him, he knew the worthlessness of legacy and fame, though even this resigned genius would've expected a little more recognition for such erudition.

[Rahul Adusumilli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do not read this book. Those already with a pessimistic bend could do without their beliefs being corroborated by elegant pithy one-liners, and those with a sunny side have no business hanging around these parts anyway.

"There is no need to complain of particular grievances, for life in its entirety is lamentable", goes a line in the first chapter, and sets the tone for the rest of the book which predominantly discusses the works of Schopenhauer.

[Stephen Rowland]

An early (1885) overview of pessimism, valuable for Saltus's excellent writing style as well as its comprehensible distillation of Schopenhauer's philosophy. Eduard Von Hartmann, contemporaneous with Saltus but now much more obscure (his philosophy is a bit wacky), is also covered at length. This book treats pessimism as an emerging philosophical movement and not simply an inherent attitude or individual worldview. I believe the author thought it would become much more popular and elaborate with time, despite being cognizant of near-impossibility of stripping people of their illusions and the almost automatic repulsion most people feel at hearing life is valueless (and so on). I could be mistaken. Anyway, as any pessimism enthusiast is aware, there is a dearth of literature on the subject, so while this book may be a bit flawed and dated, you have to take what you can get. You can't hope for more.

[Philemon - · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edgar Saltus (1855-1921) is an exciting find. A pessimistic and nihilistic American writer in the mode of Schopenhauer, who receives multiple chapters in this book, he displays great erudition, but more importantly, a wonderfully clear philosophical style reflecting an original mind in action, one delivering elegant but trenchant commentaries that seem utterly fresh, with never a fusty note struck.

Saltus was doubtless engaged intellectually by European fin-de-sicele decadence, though somehow without lowering his scholarly or literary standards. His pessimism seems genuine and without affectation. (Apparently he went on to become a little less downcast after being influenced by Emerson and theosophical ideas).

Well worth a look if you can find a copy. I lucked out in locating one second hand. Will review his companion volume on atheistic thinkers separately.

[Janae · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

finished reading this book and i'm still thinking about that calendar analogy...💔💔💔

'I am, therefore I suffer.'

'The greatest piece of stupidity of which man can be guilty is to wish to transform his theatre of misery into a pleasure-ground, and to attempt to seek happiness therein.'

'For pessimism, while showing that each joy is an illusion, leaves pleasure where it found it, and simply encloses it in a black border, from which, in greater relief, it shines more brightly than before.'

[Moatasem Fauor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Fantastic reading for those interested in philosophical works of pessimism, in it the author explains and goes through the history and possible development of pessimism.

[Cobb K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the person who wrote this book's writing a lot, but when I read the people he wrote about I did not get anywhere near the same impression he had about them (except for Schopenhauer), so I felt a little bit betrayed.