Abstract

The paper is devoted to a discussion of the metaphysical and ontological theories concerning values formulated within the German material value ethics. The general position of this school is adequately described as absolutistic and objectivistic one. However, there is a number of significant differences between the theories of Max Scheler, Nicolai Hartmann, Dietrich von Hildebrand and Hans Reiner. The author indicates these differences by an analysis of five main problems: the relation between value and axiological experience; the metaphysical status of the value; the value structure and hierarchy; the value validity; and the problem of the axiological relativism. Key words VIRTUE ETHICS, SCHELER, HARTMANN, HILDEBRAND, REINER