Peter Wessel Zapffe | |
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![]() Zapffe in 1949 | |
Born | Tromsø, Norway | 18 December 1899
Died | 12 October 1990 Asker, Norway | (aged 90)
Alma mater | University of Oslo |
Occupation(s) | Philosopher, author, artist, lawyer, mountaineer |
Notable work |
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Spouses | Bergliot Espolin Johnson
(m. 1935; div. 1941)Berit Riis Christensen
(m. 1952) |
Awards | Fritt Ord Honorary Award (1987)[1] |
Era | 20th-century philosophy |
School | |
Language | Norwegian |
Main interests | Metaphysics, nihilism, philosophical pessimism |
Notable ideas |
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Peter Wessel Zapffe (18 December 1899 – 12 October 1990) was a Norwegian philosopher, author, artist, lawyer and mountaineer. He is often noted for his philosophically pessimistic and fatalistic view of human existence.[2] His system of philosophy was inspired by the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, as well as his firm advocacy of antinatalism.[3] His thoughts regarding the error of human life are presented in the essay "The Last Messiah" ("Den sidste Messias", 1933).[4] This essay is a shorter version of his best-known work, the philosophical treatise On the Tragic (Om det tragiske, 1941).[2]
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