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Single Idea 21063

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / c. Social contract ]

Full Idea

In all social contracts, we find a union of many individuals for some common end which they all share. But a union as an end in itself which they all ought to share …is only found in a society insofar as it constitutes a civil state i.e. a commonwealth.

Gist of Idea

Personal contracts are for some end, but a civil state contract involves a duty to share

Source

Immanuel Kant (True in Theory, but not in Practice [1792], 2 Intro)

Book Ref

Kant,Immanuel: 'Political Writings', ed/tr. Reiss,Hans [CUP 1996], p.73

A Reaction

This makes a nice link between the contractarian individual morality of Hobbes and his social contract view of society. Kant seems to reject the first but accept the second. Presumably because the first implies benefit and the second implies duty.

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

21060 It can't be a duty to strive after the impossible [Kant]
21059 General rules of action also need a judgement about when to apply them [Kant]
21061 Duty does not aim at an end, but gives rise to universal happiness as aim of the will [Kant]
21062 The will's motive is the absolute law itself, and moral feeling is receptivity to law [Kant]
21064 A lawful civil state must embody freedom, equality and independence for its members [Kant]
21063 Personal contracts are for some end, but a civil state contract involves a duty to share [Kant]
21066 Citizens can rise to any rank that talent, effort and luck can achieve [Kant]
21065 You can't make a contract renouncing your right to make contracts! [Kant]
21068 There must be a unanimous contract that citizens accept majority decisions [Kant]
21067 A citizen must control his own life, and possess property or an important skill [Kant]
21069 A contract is theoretical, but it can guide rulers to make laws which the whole people will accept [Kant]
21071 There can be no restraints on freedom if reason does not reveal some basic rights [Kant]
21070 A law is unjust if the whole people could not possibly agree to it [Kant]
21072 The people (who have to fight) and not the head of state should declare a war [Kant]