return to list of latest ideas

Single Idea 21435

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / a. Human distinctiveness]

Full Idea

Man is a being meant for society (though he is also an unsociable one).

Gist of Idea

Man is both social, and unsociable

Source

Immanuel Kant (Metaphysics of Morals II:Doctrine of Virtue [1797], 471 I.II)

A Reaction

A striking contrast with Aristotle in Idea 5133. It is the difference between the communitarian and the liberal views of society. The latter values privacy and good fences.

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'The Metaphysics of Morals', ed/tr. Gregor,Mary [CUP 1991], p.263

Related Idea

Idea 5133 Man is by nature a social being [Aristotle]