From his description of the inner character of the universe as pointless blind striving, Schopenhauer's gloomy outlook follows.



The will cannot be satisfied because it has no intention or aim. Every level of the will's objectification, from gravity to animal motion, is characterised by unceasing effort. The will objects itself in a hierarchy of gradations from inorganic to organic life. Additionally, every natural force and every living form of nature engages in a battle for control of matter with other natural forces or organisms. As a result, conflict, strife, and unhappiness characterise existence.



According to Schopenhauer, achieving a goal or desire brings about satisfaction, whereas failing to do so brings about pain. Existence is characterised by pain since it is marked by lack or want, and because satisfying these desires cannot last. All of nature, including inanimate natures, are subject to free will, hence this conclusion applies to all of nature. However, because of their superior intellects, humans exhibit more pain in their daily lives. Human intellect does not alleviate pain; rather, it brings suffering home with greater clarity and consciousness.



Humans cannot in any way change the degree of suffering they endure, not even with the power of reason; in fact, reason just makes their pain worse. Since all of humanity's routine activities are directed on appeasing an insatiable, blind will, they are not only futile but also unreal. Schopenhauer comes to the conclusion that nonexistence is better to existence since the essence of existence is insatiable striving, and insatiable striving is pain. Suicide is not the solution, though. Because suicide simply ends the form that one's pain takes because all existence is suffering, it is impossible to address the dilemma of existence by suicide.