The Schopenhauer Cure

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The Schopenhauer Cure

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

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

Plot[]

Dr. Julius Hertzfel gets diagnosed with cancer, being given around a year left to live in good health. In a state of shock, he starts to think about patients he failed and one of them that comes to mind is Phillip Slate, a man with a sexual addiction. Julius calls Phillip for an interview and realizes that Phillip turned his life around, attributing his sucess to Arthur Schopenhauer and of whom he has modeled his life after. The doctor also finds out that that Phillip is on his way to become a psychotherapist. However, Julius thinks Phillip isn't suited to become a psychotherapist, due to him noticing that Phillip doesn't know how to empathize. Therefore, both men strike a deal: Phillip has to come to Julius' therapy group for six months and if he stays, Julius will become his supervisor for his remaining hours.

Phillip comes to Julius' therapy group, meeting Rebecca, Bonnie, Tony, Gill and Stuart, except Pam who's on a retreat. All of them get interested in the newcomer and are fascinated because he tends to quote philosophy, especially Schopenhauer. Phillip's presence starts to change the other members of the group, but everything changes when Pam returns. Because it turns out Pam and Phillip where involved in the past, but it ended badly.

Just as the members start to change because of Phillip, so does he start changing and becomes less like Schopenhauer and more like himself. In the penultimate meeting something that happens that makes Julius feel that he has accomplished what he wanted with Phillip and also makes plans with the group to celebrate the last meeting. However, Julius days after dies and never makes it to the last meeting.

Three years later, Pam, Tony and Phillip have become friends and are still meeting at the same cafe they used to meet after the group therapy finished, except the other members who have moved on with their lives. Afterwards, Phillip and Tony arrive to their group therapy, Phillip having become a therapist and Tony his co-therapist.

Characters[]

Dr. Julius Hertzfeld – a psychiatrist who finds out he was cancer and decides to look for one patient he thinks he failed.

Phillip Slate – a former sexual addict, who has modeled his life after Schopenhauer, and thinks life can be explained through philosophy.

Rebecca – a lawyer who is struggling with her beauty diminishing as she ages.

Tony – a college dropout with troubles with the law, who has feelings for Pam.

Pam – a university literature professor, who has had men troubles in her life, and has also a complicated past with Phillip.

Bonnie – a librarian who has problems with her ex-husband and daughter.

Stuart – a pediatrician who hardly speaks in the group and memorizes everything that happens in the group.

Gill – a man who complains about his wife, but doesn't tell the group the reason why, but later does.

Background[]

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

See also[]

• When Nietzsche Wept

References[]