ABSTRACT
Schopenhauer's metaphysical and epistemological position requires him to formulate a system of ethics that profoundly differs from its Kantian precursor. Schopenhauer's moral philosophy can be nevertheless read as organically grown from certain Kantian premises. The idea of a 'practical philosophy' which started in Germany with Leibniz, Baumgarten and Wolff found its philosophical high point in Kant's moral philosophy. Kant noted that moral agents have to postulate certain 'metaphysical' elements so that their moral system would be consistent and rationally comprehensive. Schopenhauer's metaphysical doctrine undermines two essential Kantian resources for morality: the universal normativity of morality and the negative freedom to incorporate the moral law. In Kant's moral system, the moral law applies equally and unconditionally to every rational agent without restriction. The pursuit of morality must be subjectively validated by moral education through aesthetics and a properly reformed religion.
