阿·叔本华的主要哲学思想都体现在《作为意志和表象的世界》一书中。全书共分四篇，一篇可被看作是全书的导论，也可以和第二篇合起来看作全书的一部分，主要讨论认识论和“真”的问题。第三篇关涉“美”的问题，而第四篇是关于“善”和人生的关怀问题的。叔本华自认为其哲学是对康德思想的继承和发挥，康德的“自在之物”就是叔本华所说的“意志”。

在《作为意志与表象的世界》的第一卷“世界作为表象初论”中，叔本华继续讨论人的认识能力，依次探讨了上述四个知识领域的层次问题。

《作为意志与表象的世界（第1卷）（英文版）》由阿·叔本华著。

The World as Will and Representation is the central work of the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. The first edition was published in December 1818, and the second expanded edition in 1844. In 1948, an abridged version was edited bv Thomas Mann.

In the English language, this work is known under three different titles. Although English publications about Schopenhauer played a role in the recognition of his fame as a philosopher in later life and a three volume translation by R. B. Haldane and ]. Kemp, titled The World as Will and Idea,appeared already in 1883-1886.

FIRST BOOK: THE WORLD AS IDEA

 FIRST ASPECT

SECOND BOOK: THE WORLD AS WILL

 FIRST ASPECT

THIRD BOOK: THE WORLD AS IDEA

 SECOND ASPECT

FOURTH BOOK: THE WORLD AS WILL

 SECOND ASPECT

FOOTNOTES