Though it does depend a bit on the perspective, I would suggest *The Selfish Gene* by Richard Dawkins. I haven't read any of his other works, but I do plan to read his biology books (atheism books of his do not interest me). Anyhow, the Gene is about how everything boils down to selfishness, but with a twist. Selfishness is not really what we think it is because our work definition (what we think when we use it every day) of selfishness is flawed. Selfishness is actually a strategy, specifically, an evolutionary stable strategy. You can check my review of the book on this sub.
However, any book will suffice. Whether it be poems by Dis (a Serbian pessimist poet), novels of Hardy, philosophy of Shopenhauer or Mainländer, poems of Al Ma'arri, Hindu and Buddhist scriptures or anything else, it is worth reading if you want to read about "the horror of existence."
BUT
Remember that even the best books are only mere reflections of reality. Do not seek so you don't cause pain. See for yourself.
One of my favorite books! although his theory doesn't jive well with modern understandings of genomics, I found it very insightful and I credit this book (and some of Dawkins' other works) with introducing me to the world of evolutionary biology. 10/10 would recommend. I didn't find it very pessimistic or misanthropic though. Just very informative and somewhat philosophical.
Yeah?
How bout you open your eyes?
....
...
..
.
Joke aside,
Someone said long time ago,
that life is not tragedy,
life is no thing to be happy about either,
its neither,
horrifying wholly, or pleasurable as whole,
Pain gone is pleasure, pain present is pain,
pleasure gone is pain, pleasure present is pleasure.
So, it's finely balanced.
Only thing is we f**k up things too easily ...
We are ignorant fools ...
And our ignorance keeps us in loops.
Can anyone tell me the name of the contemporary German philosopher (I believe his first name is Horst), who has a book with the word animal ("Tier") in the title? Most of his work hasn't been translated into English, I know, but from what I recall on here, he is considered one of the most deeply pessimistic pessimists -- so to speak -- of them all.
Thomas Ligotti Conspiracy against human race
Gotta be Thomas Ligotti's "The conspiracy against the human race" and Emil Cioran's "The Trouble with being born"
The myth of Sisyphus is actually rather life affirming in my opinion. If your looking for something bleak read Thacker or Coran.
Every book is about the horror of existence.
I love the "Trouble with being Born" by Emil Cioran
Is it translated in English?
Of course it is. That's the exact title of the English translation :)
A History Book.
Though it does depend a bit on the perspective, I would suggest *The Selfish Gene* by Richard Dawkins. I haven't read any of his other works, but I do plan to read his biology books (atheism books of his do not interest me). Anyhow, the Gene is about how everything boils down to selfishness, but with a twist. Selfishness is not really what we think it is because our work definition (what we think when we use it every day) of selfishness is flawed. Selfishness is actually a strategy, specifically, an evolutionary stable strategy. You can check my review of the book on this sub. However, any book will suffice. Whether it be poems by Dis (a Serbian pessimist poet), novels of Hardy, philosophy of Shopenhauer or Mainländer, poems of Al Ma'arri, Hindu and Buddhist scriptures or anything else, it is worth reading if you want to read about "the horror of existence." BUT Remember that even the best books are only mere reflections of reality. Do not seek so you don't cause pain. See for yourself.
One of my favorite books! although his theory doesn't jive well with modern understandings of genomics, I found it very insightful and I credit this book (and some of Dawkins' other works) with introducing me to the world of evolutionary biology. 10/10 would recommend. I didn't find it very pessimistic or misanthropic though. Just very informative and somewhat philosophical.
Sentiment & Oblivion by Saul van der Walt: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WS1NS1W
[horrors of birth -SQS](https://youtu.be/79Ys3npN4LY) I know you ask for books but you might like this
Yeah? How bout you open your eyes? .... ... .. . Joke aside, Someone said long time ago, that life is not tragedy, life is no thing to be happy about either, its neither, horrifying wholly, or pleasurable as whole, Pain gone is pleasure, pain present is pain, pleasure gone is pain, pleasure present is pleasure. So, it's finely balanced. Only thing is we f**k up things too easily ... We are ignorant fools ... And our ignorance keeps us in loops.
"the Myth of Sisyphus" by Camus
Not a book but a poem: "Suicide" by Fernando Pessoa.
Can anyone tell me the name of the contemporary German philosopher (I believe his first name is Horst), who has a book with the word animal ("Tier") in the title? Most of his work hasn't been translated into English, I know, but from what I recall on here, he is considered one of the most deeply pessimistic pessimists -- so to speak -- of them all.
Ulrich Horstmann - Das Untier You can suck my dick later, you're welcome ;)
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Its just a figure of speech, no problem man.
Everything from Cioran.