Schopenhauer y el idealismo del color

Abstract

In 1810, Goethe published his treatise entitled Theory of Colors. In order to support the basic tenets of Goethe’s theory and gain the sponsorship of this thinker, Schopenhauer wrote in 1815 On Vision and Colors. Schopenhauer’s theory of colors, as the author explains, was neglected for a long time despite its extremely valuable material. Schopenhauer articulates his theory of vision with an idealist description of color. According to Schopenhauer, believing that colors are real properties of objects is a dogmatic position: color is a sensation that is explained by the light that allows the activity of the retina. After a detailed analysis of Schopenhauer’s conception of color, the author points out its virtues and blunders.