back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 21069

[from 'True in Theory, but not in Practice' by Immanuel Kant, in 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / c. Social contract ]

Full Idea

The original contract …is merely an idea of reason, which nonetheless has undoubted practical reality; for it can oblige every legislator to frame his laws in such a way that they could have been produced by the united will of a whole nation.

Gist of Idea

A contract is theoretical, but it can guide rulers to make laws which the whole people will accept

Source

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

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Political Writings', ed/tr. Reiss,Hans [CUP 1996], p.79


A Reaction

The contractualist theory of morality of Thomas Scanlon approaches this. Note that Kant says it 'can' oblige the legislators. Nothing would compel them to follow such a principle.