more from Immanuel Kant

Single Idea 21065

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 3. Alienating rights]

Full Idea

No one can voluntarily renounce his rights by a contract ..to the effect that he has no rights but only duties, for such a contract would deprive him of the right to make a contract, and would thus invalidate the one he had already made.

Gist of Idea

You can't make a contract renouncing your right to make contracts!

Source

Immanuel Kant (True in Theory, but not in Practice [1792], 2-2)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Political Writings', ed/tr. Reiss,Hans [CUP 1996], p.75


A Reaction

Kant tries to establish all of his principles by showing that their denial is contradictory. But this example is blatantly wrong. King Lear didn't nullify his previous legislation when he abdicated, and his two daughters legally kept their territories.

Related Idea

Idea 21781 The absolute right is the right to have rights [Hegel]