more from this thinker     |     more from this text


Single Idea 5621

[filed under theme 25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 6. Political freedom ]

Full Idea

The very existence of reason depends on freedom, which has no dictatorial authority, but whose claim is never anything more than the agreement of free citizens, each of whom must be able to express reservations, indeed even veto, without holding back.

Gist of Idea

The existence of reason depends on the freedom of citizens to agree, doubt and veto ideas

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781], B766/A738)

Book Ref

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Pure Reason', ed/tr. Guyer,P /Wood,A W [CUO 1998], p.643


A Reaction

I think the biggest conflict within modern societies (as opposed to currently existing medieval ones) is between the freedom that is required for a rational society, and the restraint which is required for a virtuous society. What has highest value?


The 8 ideas with the same theme [ability to participate in government of society]:

One principle of liberty is to take turns ruling and being ruled [Aristotle]
The freest state is a rational one, where people can submit themselves to reason [Spinoza]
Freedom is not absence of laws, but living under laws arrived at by consent [Locke]
The existence of reason depends on the freedom of citizens to agree, doubt and veto ideas [Kant]
Freedom requires us to submit to a family, or a corporation, or a state [Hegel, by Houlgate]
We have liberty in the space between nature and accepted authority [Weil]
Political freedom is an incoherent project, because some freedoms limit other freedoms [Nussbaum]
Ancient freedom was free participation in politics, not private independence of life [Kymlicka]