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Thursday, August 4, 2022

Respect And Love

Immanuel Kant, Notes and Fragments (edt. Paul Gyuer. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005), ch. 4, Notes on Moral Philosophy (drawn from the original German title “Reflexionen zur Moralphilosophie”), II., Notes on Moral Philosophy from 1764-1770, §6601, p. 421:

Whatever we find worthy of the highest respect we really respect highly; whatever we find worthy of love we do not always love, namely if it is not especially connected to us.

Both sentiments are somewhat opposed to one another. Partiality toward us makes us love, but not highly respect, the one who is partial to us.

We have a greater drive to be respected than to be loved–but a greater drive to love others than to respect them. Because in love toward another one senses his own superiority, in respect for another he limits this superiority.

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