The two fundamental problems of ethics / Arthur Schopenhauer ; translated with notes by David Cartwright, Edward E. Erdmann ; with an introduction by Christopher Janaway.

Translated from the German.

Schopenhauer argues, in uniquely powerful prose, that self-consciousness gives the illusion of freedom and that human actions are determined, but that we rightly feel guilt because our actions issue from our essential individual character. He locates moral value in the virtues of loving kindness and voluntary justice that spring from the fundamental incentive of compassion. Morality's basis is ultimately metaphysical, resting on an intuitive identification of the self with all other striving and suffering beings. The Introduction by leading Schopenhauer scholar Christopher Janaway gives a clear summary of the argument of the essays in the context of Schopenhauer's life and works and the history of ethics in the modern period. --from publisher description.

Includes bibliographical references (pages xxxiii-xxxvi) and index.

Prize essay on the freedom of the will. Definitions of concepts ; The will before self-consciousness ; The will before consciousness of other things ; Predecessors ; Conclusion and higher view ; Appendix : to supplement the first chapter -- Prize essay on the basis of morals. Introduction ; Critique of the foundations of ethics provided by Kant ; Grounding of ethics ; Toward the metaphysical explanation of the urphenomenon of ethics.

Print version record.

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