Single Idea 4521

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / g. Moral responsibility]

Full Idea

Not one of the ancient philosophers had the courage for a theory of the 'unfree will' (i.e. for a theory that denies morality).

Gist of Idea

None of the ancients had the courage to deny morality by denying free will

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (The Will to Power (notebooks) [1888], §428)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Will to Power', ed/tr. Kaufmann,W /Hollingdate,R [Vintage 1968], p.232


A Reaction

The ancients were struck by fate, and by the elusiveness of truth, and Heraclitus said that "character is fate". But Nietzsche seems basically correct.