Society & Culture / Literary Studies & Writing / Comparative Literature & Translation

Why We're Miserable in a World of Plenty: Schiller & Dostoevsky's Diagnosis of Modern Alienation

Christiane Schulz

Explore the shocking 1992 study by Christiane Schulz that reveals how 18th-century German poet Schiller and 19th-century Russian novelist Dostoevsky predicted our modern epidemic of loneliness, burnout, and existential despair. In a world of unprecedented wealth and technology, why do we feel more disconnected than ever? This video dissects their shared vision of a 'Golden Age' lost to rationalism and capitalism, their three-stage model of human history, and their radical cure: aesthetic education through art. Discover how Dostoevsky's characters—Raskolnikov, Myshkin, Stavrogin—embody Schiller's warnings about the soul-crushing effects of pure logic and utility. From the 'underground man' to the 'Grand Inquisitor,' we unpack the terrifying parallels between 19th-century industrial alienation and our own digital age. Can beauty and genuine human connection still save us from becoming 'highly optimized pianos'? This is a deep dive into the philosophy that proves our ancestors knew exactly what we're feeling today.