Single Idea 7078

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 3. Angst]

Full Idea

In the 1880s Nietzsche diagnosed the concept of nihilism for a whole range of continental thinkers: the recognition of the subject's freedom goes hand in hand with the collapse of moral certainty in the world.

Gist of Idea

The freedom of the subject means the collapse of moral certainty

Source

report of Friedrich Nietzsche (Beyond Good and Evil [1886]) by Simon Critchley - Continental Philosophy - V. Short Intro Ch.5

Book Reference

Critchley,Simon: 'Continental Philosophy - Very Short Intro' [OUP 2001], p.78


A Reaction

Avoiding this dilemma is just one of the many bonuses offered to those who abandon the idea of free will. The fact that one can decide to be wicked doesn't bring an end to morality. Philosophers should think more concretely about human life.