What did Arthur Schopenhauer mean by "Man can do what he wills but he cannot will what he wills"?

Question

Einstein wrote:
"Schopenhauer's words, 'Man can indeed do what he wants, but he cannot want what he wants', accompany me in all life situations and console me in my dealings with people, even those that are really painful to me." (In German: »Der Mensch kann wohl tun was er will, aber er kann nicht wollen, was er will.«). Variant translations: Man can control what he wills, but not how he wills. Man can indeed do what he wants, but he cannot want what he wants. --Taken from Wikipedia. Examples would be very helpful. All contributions are greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

It is a simple, somewhat poetic thought.

Man has the capacity to achieve any goal man sets; however, man's desires (his passions) determine what are the goals that man will set.

In essence, man's desires are not predicated on careful calculation; rather, they are innate. The "heart of man" is autonomous and fickle; it is not driven by reason, but by passions that are ... by definition ... irrational.

The original quote suggests the animal nature of man is a product of genetic evolution; the urges of man are therefore genetically encoded, rooted in the subconscious and not subject to the whims (desires) of the conscious mind.

The original quote further contrasts this against the prowess gained through evolution, the demonstration of aptitude and competence: the combination thereof effectively guarantee the success of man's efforts towards any particular pursuit.

Thus is laid the predicate that the technological sophistication of man must not (or, "cannot rightly") be conflated with moral uprightness or righteousness.

Alternatively, the text can be taken to mean the technological sophistication of man proves there is no such thing as a single, legitimate objective standard for righteousness.

Examples of the former premise are found in one's personal tastes: the like or dislike of certain musical styles, particular colors, etc. Applied in the sense of the original quote, this would have to be expanded to cultural characteristics and identities.

Examples of the latter are somewhat more complex. Taken literally, the quote means the poor are poor because they desire to be poor: it assumes any deficiency of means or other resources would be overcome by force of will.

One could conclude manned flight is proof that man can by force of will overcome natural obstacles; the same would apply to the journey of Trieste to the bottom of the Challenger Deep; the same would apply to the electronic age and the conquest of space.

Despite the efforts of insurance companies (and the officials in whose pockets they are) to keep from beneficiaries the vital funds legitimately owed, the ongoing recovery in Mississippi from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina proves the ability of most Mississippi residents to do much with little.

When I consider Mississippians, I am reminded of a poster I saw when I was a child:

"We the willing, Led by the unknowing, Have done so much, For so long, With so little, We are now qualified, To do anything, With nothing."

Answer 2

In modern English, Arthur Schopenhauer's words would probably mean: "Man can do what his heart desires or wants, but he cannot be inclined, persuaded or biased, on how he obtains what he desires." In other words: He can do what he wants, but he doesn't chose what course leads to it. Just like those who believe in fate, they believe that life is already mapped out for us so whatever we do, it was predestined.

Comment:
I just read the answer below and it sounds like someone babbled their way throgh too many paragraphs without answering the question in, well....question! I just want to hear that person's answer for the question presented AND why they say, "I am logic." for their source if they do not have a deffinative answer....

Answer 3

I think a better translation would be: "Man can do what he wants, but he cannot will what he wants." It s an argument against free will: low-key, alluding to the automaticity and compulsive nature of human desire.

Answer 4

It simply means that one can follow his/her dreams or wishes but cannot control or what he desires.