Since the Kantian concept of universal and equal respect cannot be absolutely justified but only plausibly argued, the presentation of other concepts and the engagement with them occupies a significant space: Kant himself and discourse ethics, Schopenhauer and Hegel, the conservative concept of Alasdair MacIntyre, Hume and utilitarianism. Following Aristotle and Erich Fromm, the author explores the relationship between moral virtues and happiness virtues. Building on Adam Smith, he expands the Kantian moral concept into a morality that pertains not only to actions and omissions but also to intersubjective affective attitudes, and simultaneously demonstrates how, even in modernity, rule-based morality must be complemented by a morality of virtues. The concept of moral rights is rethought and leads to a strong K.