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Single Idea 21071

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 3. Natural Values / c. Natural rights ]

Full Idea

If there is nothing which commands immediate respect through reason, such as the basic rights of man, no influence can prevail upon man's arbitrary will and restrain his freedom.

Gist of Idea

There can be no restraints on freedom if reason does not reveal some basic rights

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.86

A Reaction

I think this is the nearest Kant gets to natural rights. It is hard to see how basic rights can be identified by pure reason, without some inbuilt human values. Kant's usual move is to say denial of them leads to a contradiction, but I'm going off that.

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]