The Basis of Morality

A philosophical treatise written in the early 19th century. In this work, Schopenhauer explores the foundations of ethics, challenging established moral philosophies and presenting his critique, particularly of Immanuel Kant's moral principles. The book investigates the motivations behind human actions, aiming to uncover genuine moral incentives beyond the philosophical constraints previously defined by Kantian ethics, and argues for compassion as the bedrock of moral behavior. The opening of this treatise lays the groundwork for a thorough examination of the moral landscape that philosophers have navigated and often conflicted over. Schopenhauer begins by posing a significant question about the nature of morality and the differing views among philosophers regarding the basis of moral actions. He presents the challenge of providing a non-theological foundation for ethics that is independent from divine commandments yet engages with human consciousness and subjective experiences. By critiquing Kant's ethical framework, he highlights the limitations of the Categorical Imperative and begins to define an alternative that roots moral behavior in compassion rather than duty or obligation, setting the stage for an exploration of ethics that runs deeply through human experience and behavior.