Abstract

For Schopenhauer, a sexual love is dependent on the Eros’ principle of the world, associated with the operation of a powerful will to live. The matter of sexuality and thereof resulting fertility has also a fundamental sense to the religion, as evidenced by the symbolism of the original sin. In Christianity it is a negative significance, as bodily functions are opposed to the development of the spirit and therefore recognized in terms of evil. The most radical criticism of the body and of the material world is reflected in views of the gnostics, but also of the patrimonial thinkers, including St. Augustine, arguing for the spirit and clearly rising against the flesh. Max Scheler, a contemporary philosopher, occupying with the theme of love, attempts to axiologically “equalize” the balance between spirit and flesh. In his opinion, a sexual act imbued with love expresses a unity of all people in the universally considered life in the world or even in the cosmos. However, this concept of love and sexuality also must give way to the real self-fulfilling life, whose properties are very well characterized by Schopenhauer.