Why did Arthur Schopenhauer see the will as blind, restless, and insatiable?

Arthur Schopenhauer viewed the will as the fundamental, unitary essence of all reality—the "thing-in-itself" that exists beyond space, time, and causality. Because the will is not governed by rational motives, causes, or specific purposes, he described it as "blind".1

In the world of appearances, this will manifests as an endless chain of impulses, drives, and agitations ranging from inorganic forces to human actions. Schopenhauer characterized this as an "eternally aimless and insatiable striving," a perpetual struggle where higher forms of life constantly contend with lower ones. This restless nature is inherently linked to suffering and misfortune, as the will is never satisfied; it is a constant, driving force that lacks a final goal.1

Schopenhauer’s philosophy of pessimism suggests that because we are trapped in this cycle of insatiable desire, true liberation can only be found through the temporary relief of aesthetics or the ultimate negation of the will through asceticism and compassion.1