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Deaths on October 12

Peter Wessel Zapffe
1990Oct, 12

Peter Wessel Zapffe

Peter Wessel Zapffe, Norwegian physician, mountaineer, and author (b. 1899)
Peter Wessel Zapffe (December 18, 1899 – October 12, 1990) was a Norwegian metaphysician, author, artist, lawyer and mountaineer. He is often noted for his philosophically pessimistic and fatalistic view of human existence. His system of philosophy was inspired by the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, as well as his firm advocacy of antinatalism. His thoughts regarding the error of human life are presented in the essay "The Last Messiah" (Norwegian: Den sidste Messias, 1933). This essay is a shorter version of his best-known and untranslated work, the philosophical treatise "On the Tragic" (Om det tragiske, 1941).

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Events on 1990

  • 2Aug

    Gulf War

    Iraq invades Kuwait, eventually leading to the Gulf War.
  • 8Aug

    Gulf War

    Iraq occupies Kuwait and the state is annexed to Iraq. This would lead to the Gulf War shortly afterward.
  • 23Aug

    Gulf War

    Saddam Hussein appears on Iraqi state television with a number of Western "guests" (actually hostages) to try to prevent the Gulf War.
  • 28Aug

    Kuwait

    Iraq declares Kuwait to be its newest province.
  • 28Nov

    Margaret Thatcher

    British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher resigns as leader of the Conservative Party and the prime ministry, and is succeeded as both by John Major.