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Single Idea 21059

[filed under theme 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 3. Acting on Reason / a. Practical reason ]

Full Idea

A concept of the understanding, which contains the general rule, must be supplemented by an act of judgement whereby the practitioner distinguishes instances where the rule applies from those where it does not.

Gist of Idea

General rules of action also need a judgement about when to apply them

Source

Immanuel Kant (True in Theory, but not in Practice [1792], Intro)

Book Ref

Kant,Immanuel: 'Political Writings', ed/tr. Reiss,Hans [CUP 1996], p.61


A Reaction

This is Aristotle's phronesis, and Hart's 'rules of recognition' in law courts. So is the link between theory and practice an intellectual one, or a sort of inarticulate intuition? I like 'common sense' for this ability.

Related Idea

Idea 20932 Positive law needs secondary 'rules of recognition' for their correct application [Hart,HLA, by Zimmermann,J]


The 14 ideas from 'True in Theory, but not in Practice'

It can't be a duty to strive after the impossible [Kant]
General rules of action also need a judgement about when to apply them [Kant]
Duty does not aim at an end, but gives rise to universal happiness as aim of the will [Kant]
The will's motive is the absolute law itself, and moral feeling is receptivity to law [Kant]
A lawful civil state must embody freedom, equality and independence for its members [Kant]
Personal contracts are for some end, but a civil state contract involves a duty to share [Kant]
Citizens can rise to any rank that talent, effort and luck can achieve [Kant]
You can't make a contract renouncing your right to make contracts! [Kant]
There must be a unanimous contract that citizens accept majority decisions [Kant]
A citizen must control his own life, and possess property or an important skill [Kant]
A contract is theoretical, but it can guide rulers to make laws which the whole people will accept [Kant]
There can be no restraints on freedom if reason does not reveal some basic rights [Kant]
A law is unjust if the whole people could not possibly agree to it [Kant]
The people (who have to fight) and not the head of state should declare a war [Kant]