Single Idea 4415

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 2. Duty]

Full Idea

The feeling of guilt, of personal obligation, had its origin in the oldest and most primitive personal relationship, that between buyer and seller, between creditor and debtor.

Gist of Idea

Guilt and obligation originated in the relationship of buying and selling, credit and debt

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (On the Genealogy of Morals [1887], II.§08)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'On the Genealogy of Morals/ Ecce Homo', ed/tr. Kaufmann,Walter [Vintage 1969], p.70


A Reaction

In other words, lofty Kantian ideals started life in the grubby world of the Hobbesian social contract, and self-seeking has been disguised by idealism. Too harsh on Kant, who explains why contracts have force, not just convenience.