Single Idea 7591

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 2. The Law / c. Natural law]

Full Idea

Kant is often held to have completed a task begun by Grotius, giving a basis for natural law which does not invoke the will of God, but rather commands God himself to obedience.

Gist of Idea

Kant completed Grotius's project of a non-religious basis for natural law

Source

comment on Immanuel Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals [1785]) by Roger Scruton - A Dictionary of Political Thought 'Kant'

Book Reference

Scruton,Roger: 'A Dictionary of Political Thought' [Pan 1983], p.246


A Reaction

This project, if successful, would clinch the naturalistic response to the Euthyphro Question (Ideas 336 and 337). It is a key issue for atheists, who generally wish to deny that their lack of religion leads inevitably to amorality.

Related Ideas

Idea 336 Is what is pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because they love it? (the 'Euthyphro Question') [Plato]

Idea 337 It seems that the gods love things because they are pious, rather than making them pious by loving them [Plato]