# Kant — The Genealogy of Morals character guide

> Kant in The Genealogy of Morals by Friedrich Nietzsche.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0010-the-genealogy-of-morals

## Who they are

Philosopher whose categorical imperative is criticized as a remnant of ascetic morality.

## Relationships

### [Schopenhauer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters/schopenhauer)

_rivalry_

Schopenhauer built upon and fiercely criticized Kant's transcendental idealism, rejecting his categorical imperative as a disguised Christian morality.

### [the Germans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters/the_germans)

_psychological_

Kant's moral philosophy, with its categorical imperative, is seen by Nietzsche as a sophisticated form of Christian slave morality that weakens the Germans.

## In the story

### [Chapter 3](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/3)

Referenced indirectly through Nietzsche's contrast of his own 'categorical imperative' with Kant's, highlighting his opposition to Kantian morality.

### [Chapter 5](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/5)

Listed among those who dismissed pity as worthless.

### [Second Essay: “Guilt,” “Bad Conscience,” and the Like](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/second-essay)

Mentioned in the context of the categorical imperative and the concept of duty.

### [Chapter 6: The Cradle of Guilt and the Festive Nature of Cruelty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/6)

Mentioned in connection with the categorical imperative, which Nietzsche claims 'reeks of cruelty.'

### [Third Essay: What Is the Meaning of Ascetic Ideals?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/third-essay)

Referenced for his concept of the 'thing-in-itself' and the ascetic character of his moral philosophy.

### [Chapter 6: Schopenhauer, Kant, and the Aesthetic Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/6)

Kant's definition of the beautiful as 'that which pleases without interesting' is contrasted with Stendhal's view; Nietzsche suggests Kant's perspective is that of a spectator, not an artist.

### [Chapter 7](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/7)

Listed among unmarried philosophers who exemplify the ascetic ideal.

### [The Ascetic Ideal and the Will to Truth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/12)

Nietzsche references Kant's concept of the 'intelligible character of things' as an example of the ascetic schism that turns reason against itself, where the intellect acknowledges its own incomprehension.

### [Chapter 25: Science and the Ascetic Ideal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/25)

Mentioned for his confession about astronomy's humiliating effect and for his victory over theological dogmatism, which Nietzsche argues did not damage the ascetic ideal.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters/kant
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters