What is parerga und paralipomena?

Parerga und Paralipomena is a collection of philosophical and literary essays written by German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. The title translates as "Minor Works" and "Supplements," and the collection was first published in 1851.

The Parerga consists of two volumes, with the first containing 31 essays and the second containing 21. The topics covered in the essays are diverse, ranging from metaphysics, ethics, and aesthetics to literature and religion. Schopenhauer's ideas and critiques of other philosophers are also discussed.

The Paralipomena, on the other hand, is a collection of eleven essays that were added to the second volume of Parerga. These essays cover various topics such as metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, and psychology.

The Parerga und Paralipomena is considered one of Schopenhauer's most important works. Its essays have been praised for their clear and concise writing style, as well as their insight into various aspects of philosophy. The collection has inspired many prominent thinkers, including Friedrich Nietzsche, who considered Schopenhauer to be his greatest influence.