How Einstein Was Influenced by the Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer

In Einstein's Autobiographical Notes, in multiple letters, and in essays, he admitted that he had been influenced by Arthur Schopenhauer, a crabby and disgruntled but fascinating German philosopher who had died in 1860. Few writers have analyzed Schopenhauer's influence on Einstein, despite some exceptions such as Don Howard. I will discuss how Schopenhauer affected Einstein's views on free will, determinism, human relationships, spacetime, and in using science as an escape from personal problems. Naturally, I will draw comparisons to Einstein's views on Hume, Kant, and Spinoza. I will also discuss how Einstein discussed Schopenhauer with others, including his son Eduard.