more from Immanuel Kant

Single Idea 21057

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 1. Basis of justice]

Full Idea

There is hope that the highest purpose of nature, a universal cosmopolitan existence, will at last be realised as the matrix within which all the original capacities of the human race may develop.

Gist of Idea

The highest ideal of social progress is a universal cosmopolitan existence

Source

Immanuel Kant (Idea for a Universal History [1784], 8th)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Political Writings', ed/tr. Reiss,Hans [CUP 1996], p.51


A Reaction

Apart from Diogenes of Sinope, Kant seems to have been the first great champion of the cosmopolitan ideal. As I write (2018) the western world is putting up growing barriers against immigrants. I think my response may be to adopt Kantian cosmopolitanism.

Related Idea

Idea 1764 Diogenes said he was a citizen of the world [Diogenes of Sin., by Diog. Laertius]