C. v. Ehrenfels, one of the members of Brentano’s school, belongs, in the territorial sense, to the history of Czech thinking because of his work at the Prague German University, and because of his contact with T. G. Masaryk. Central to Ehrenfels’ philosophical interest was the problem of value. He conceived of value as always relational – as value for someone. In treating of value, human desire (Begehren) is of paramount importance, relating positively or negatively to the existence of the object in question. The author of the article deals with various aspects of Ehrenfels’ axiological conception, such as the relation of “proper” and “effective” value (Eigenwert; Wirkungswert). He goes on to examine the relation of human emotional dispositions, desires and behaviour, and he also draws attention to the problematic aspects of Ehrenfels‘ ethical theory, especially a certain biologism involved, which is apparent above all in applied ethics, in the conception of the relation between “white” and “mongolian” races and in sexual ethics.The author appreciates, on the other hand, Ehrenfels’ emphasis on the ethos of the individual, allowing pluralistic and decisionistic elements without leading to an endorsement of a non-commitment to others, or of wantonness in the ethical and moral sphere.