The article is devoted to the relationship between ontology and ethics in the context of the origin of Western European rationality. The object of study is the crisis of the mythological consciousness of the VII-VI centuries BC. Special attention is paid to the origin of philosophy as an alternative to mythological ways to create certainty. The situation of the origin of Western European rationality is analyzed through existential experiences of guilt and disgrace. Guilt is understood as individual responsibility for the grounds and consequences of one’s own actions, disgrace as an appeal to the figure of Another. The main conclusion of the study is the thesis of ethics as the basic structure of knowledge, both in genetic and structural aspects. The situation of crisis of mythological consciousness of VII-VI centuries BC is shown as paradigmatic for Western European rationality.