This refers, of course, to Schopenhauer. Nietzsche, as is well known, was at one time an ardent follower of Schopenhauer. He overcame Pessimism by discovering an object in existence; he saw the possibility of raising society to a higher level and preached the profoundest Optimism in consequence.
criticism · Notes: Part II
The soothsayer is Schopenhauer
Ludovici identifies the soothsayer with Schopenhauer, whom Nietzsche once followed, and says Nietzsche overcame pessimism by finding an object in existence, the raising of society to a higher level.
On Zarathustra
- Nihilism (all is empty)Reads the soothsayer's doctrine of weariness as Schopenhauerian pessimism.