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Single Idea 21439

[catalogued under 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 4. Aims of Reason]

Full Idea

Religion and legislation ...excite a just suspicion against themselves, and cannot claim that unfeigned respect that reason grants only to that which has been able to withstand free and public examination.

Gist of Idea

Religion and legislation can only be respected if they accept free and public examination

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781], A Pref xi n)

A Reaction

A wonderful statement of a core principle of the liberal enlightenment. I can't really relate to anyone who would reject this idea (in general). Legislation might have special circumstances (such as wartime).

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Pure Reason', ed/tr. Guyer,P /Wood,A W [CUO 1998], p.100