The human mind is in a constant battle with time, both internally and externally. As consciousness swings between memories of the past and possibilities of the future, staying in the present has become one of the fundamental goals of modern psychology. However, while the phrase “the desire to live today” initially promises hope and peace, it also contains serious philosophical and psychodynamic conflicts. In this article, I will attempt to analyze the desire to live today from a psychological perspective, starting from the pessimistic philosophy of the 19th-century philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer.
Schopenhauer and the Will: A Philosophy of Endless Desires
Schopenhauer defines human nature as “wanting.” In his work, The World as Will and Representation (1819), which he begins by stating, “The world is my representation,” he argues that reality at its core is a blind will. This will is not a conscious purpose but an incessant inner drive that constantly generates desires, is never satisfied, and never ceases. According to him, this will exists not only in humans but in all of nature, and it is the fundamental source of suffering. The brief period of peace that follows satisfaction is interrupted by the birth pangs of a new desire.
This philosophical understanding shows striking parallels with psychodynamic theories. In Freud’s structural theory, the impulsive nature of the id is similar to Schopenhauer’s will, focusing on the pursuit of pleasure. The constant search for satisfaction and the internal conflicts arising from the repression of drives lead to neurotic symptoms. Schopenhauer’s idea that “as soon as a person’s desire is fulfilled, they awaken to another pain” recalls Freud’s pleasure-principle-based flow of insatiable psychic energy.
Living Today: Reality or an Ideological Radio Call?
A suggestion often used in modern psychology is: “Let go of the past, don’t think about the future, just live in the present.” This approach is particularly prominent in modalities such as Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). Living in the present means focusing the mind’s attention on the moment and accepting thoughts without judgment. This is a method proven to be useful in the treatment of conditions like anxiety and depression.
However, from Schopenhauer’s perspective, this “desire to live today” can also be another object of the will. In other words, the person is still wanting something: tranquility, peace, control. This, without their awareness, makes them a slave to the will once again. In this view, even the practice of “staying in the moment” can become a tool for another desire. Instead of self-awareness, a performative internal control can develop. The idea of “I must live today” can also create anxiety in the individual: “What if I fail?”
Meaning in Response to Desire: Frankl and an Existential Opening
In contrast to Schopenhauer’s pessimism, Viktor Frankl’s existential psychology offers hope. According to Frankl, the fundamental human drive is not the pursuit of pleasure but the search for meaning. Developed from his experiences in Nazi concentration camps, his logotherapy is based on the idea that an individual can find meaning in life no matter the circumstances. In this approach, living in the present is not an escape but an active state of consciousness transformed by the meaning attached to the experience.
Frankl rejects Schopenhauer’s view of suffering as ontological. He believes that suffering can be transformative when it is connected to a meaningful goal. This shows that the desire to live today can only become sustainable when the individual defines meaning for their own life. Otherwise, this desire is simply another face of the pursuit of pleasure.
The Psychology of Wanting: Jung and the Process of Individuation
Carl Gustav Jung, on the other hand, advocates not for the repression of desires but for their conscious integration. Jung’s individuation process refers to the individual confronting their shadows to form a more complete self. In contrast to Schopenhauer’s proposal to escape the will, Jung suggests transforming and integrating desires. A person should not stop wanting; they should understand what they want and why.
Examined from this perspective, the desire to live today should be based on a deep internal confrontation rather than a superficial practice of awareness. According to Jung, a person “cannot stay in the moment” without first recognizing their internal conflicts. Only a consciousness that has met its own shadows can develop a sense of belonging to the present.
Schopenhauer’s Psychotherapeutic Reflections
While Schopenhauer’s ideas did not directly develop a therapeutic technique, they resonate in many therapeutic approaches. Existential therapy aims for the individual to confront their freedom, responsibility, and loneliness. This intersects with Schopenhauer’s understanding of a life full of suffering and desires. Similarly, the “observing desire” practice seen in mindfulness is a tool for becoming aware of the will. When a client observes the nature of their desire, rather than its object, they can be freed from wanting, even if only for a short time.
The important thing here is not to be completely rid of desire but to transform the relationship with it. For Schopenhauer, the ultimate goal is to be free from desire; for psychology, it is to cope with and manage it.
Conclusion: Today, Perhaps, is a Practice
The desire to live today is not limited to simply being “in the now.” It is a state of consciousness. Schopenhauer’s pessimistic philosophy of the will sheds light on the insatiable nature of humanity, but modern psychology offers ways to understand, guide, and transform this will. When we hear our clients say, “I want to live today,” we should not ignore the underlying desires, conflicts, and search for meaning.
As Schopenhauer said: “Wanting is suffering.” However, being aware of wanting creates a psychotherapeutic space for freedom. Today is not just a day; it is a small practice of the relationship built with desire, meaning, and consciousness.
References
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Schopenhauer, A. (1819). The World as Will and Representation
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Frankl, V. (1946). Man’s Search for Meaning
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Freud, S. (1920). Beyond the Pleasure Principle
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Jung, C. G. (1961). Memories, Dreams, Reflections
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Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
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Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever You Go, There You Are