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Single Idea 21069
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / c. Social contract
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Full Idea
The original contract …is merely an idea of reason, which nonetheless has undoubted practical reality; for it can oblige every legislator to frame his laws in such a way that they could have been produced by the united will of a whole nation.
Gist of Idea
A contract is theoretical, but it can guide rulers to make laws which the whole people will accept
Source
Immanuel Kant (True in Theory, but not in Practice [1792], 2-Concl)
Book Ref
Kant,Immanuel: 'Political Writings', ed/tr. Reiss,Hans [CUP 1996], p.79
A Reaction
The contractualist theory of morality of Thomas Scanlon approaches this. Note that Kant says it 'can' oblige the legislators. Nothing would compel them to follow such a principle.
The
14 ideas
from 'True in Theory, but not in Practice'
21059
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General rules of action also need a judgement about when to apply them
[Kant]
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21060
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It can't be a duty to strive after the impossible
[Kant]
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21061
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Duty does not aim at an end, but gives rise to universal happiness as aim of the will
[Kant]
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21062
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The will's motive is the absolute law itself, and moral feeling is receptivity to law
[Kant]
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21063
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Personal contracts are for some end, but a civil state contract involves a duty to share
[Kant]
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21064
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A lawful civil state must embody freedom, equality and independence for its members
[Kant]
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21066
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Citizens can rise to any rank that talent, effort and luck can achieve
[Kant]
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21065
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You can't make a contract renouncing your right to make contracts!
[Kant]
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21067
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A citizen must control his own life, and possess property or an important skill
[Kant]
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21068
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There must be a unanimous contract that citizens accept majority decisions
[Kant]
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21069
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A contract is theoretical, but it can guide rulers to make laws which the whole people will accept
[Kant]
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21070
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A law is unjust if the whole people could not possibly agree to it
[Kant]
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21071
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There can be no restraints on freedom if reason does not reveal some basic rights
[Kant]
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21072
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The people (who have to fight) and not the head of state should declare a war
[Kant]
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