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Single Idea 20571

[filed under theme 25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 1. Basis of Rights ]

Full Idea

The idea of a cosmopolitan right is not fantastic and overstrained; it is a necessary complement to the unwritten code of political and international right, transforming it into a universal right of humanity.

Gist of Idea

There are political and inter-national rights, but also universal cosmopolitan rights

Source

Immanuel Kant (Perpetual Peace [1795], 'Third')

Book Ref

Kant,Immanuel: 'Political Writings', ed/tr. Reiss,Hans [CUP 1996], p.108


A Reaction

The interesting thought is that there are no 'natural rights', but there can be universal rights insofar as there exists a universal community. See the UN Declaration of Human Rights c.1948.


The 10 ideas from 'Perpetual Peace'

Kant made the social contract international and cosmopolitan [Kant, by Oksala]
Hiring soldiers is to use them as instruments, ignoring their personal rights [Kant]
Some trust in the enemy is needed during wartime, or peace would be impossible [Kant]
The state of nature always involves the threat of war [Kant]
Equality is where you cannot impose a legal obligation you yourself wouldn't endure [Kant]
Each nation should, from self-interest, join an international security constitution [Kant]
A constitution must always be improved when necessary [Kant]
The a priori general will of a people shows what is right [Kant]
There is now a growing universal community, and violations of rights are felt everywhere [Kant]
There are political and inter-national rights, but also universal cosmopolitan rights [Kant]