Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at the thoughts and ideas of Immanuel Kant and Frederick Nietzsche. According to the paper, Nietzsche struggled with Christianity and deism, while Kant took a rather rational, existential tack toward many of his assertions. This paper focuses specifically on how each philosopher derived his concept of morality.

From the Paper:

"These systems of morality, Nietzsche asserts, are in essence a way for society to control the behaviors of men. Instead of the Kantian view that man forms systems of morality to pursue the good will and the individual good of each man, Nietzsche's assessment of why these systems are created is so that a small group of aristocrats and powerful interests can control and regulate society. The differences between each thinker's conceptions of the roots of morality demonstrate the differences in each man's understanding of the nature of mankind. Kant saw man as a creature endowed with reason and ration, and that he could use these tools to discern the good will. Nietzsche saw the systems of morality which were imparted to individuals as constructs of society whose ultimate aim was control and regulation of behavior, not a good will or greater good."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Arrington, Robert. Western Ethics: An Historical Introduction, Blackwell Publishers, Inc. (1998)
• Kant, Immanuel. Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals. Translation by Thomas Kingsmill Abbott; online at http://philosophy.eserver.org/kant/metaphys-of-morals.txt
• Nietzsche, Frederick. On the Genealogy of Morals. Translated by Ian Johnston; online athttp://www.mala.bc.ca/~johnstoi/Nietzsche/genealogytofc.htm

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