While in the first part of Ethics (Moral Phenomena) Hartmann was concerned with the structure of ethical phenomena, and criticized utilitarianism, Kantianism, and relativism as misleading approaches, in the second part, Moral Values, the author presents all values as forming a complex and as yet imperfectly known system. The actualization of the non-moral and elementary moral values is a necessary condition for the actualization of the higher. On this account the rudimentary values have a prior claim. Hartmann proceeds to outline the main features of the chief virtues, and shows that the moral disposition required in any exigency is always a specific synthesis of various and often conflicting values. Specifically describing fundamental moral values - such as goodness, nobility, and vitality - and special moral values - such as justice, wisdom, courage, self-control, trustworthiness, and modesty - Hartmann takes theoretical philosophy and brings it very much into the realm of the practical.