display all the ideas for this combination of texts
5 ideas
21075 | The state of nature always involves the threat of war [Kant] |
Full Idea: The state of nature is a state of war. For even if it does not involve active hostilities, it involves a constant threat of their breaking out. | |
From: Immanuel Kant (Perpetual Peace [1795], 2) | |
A reaction: Kant is siding with Hobbes against Rousseau, despite Rousseau's claim that Hobbes's pessimism concerns a more advanced situation that the true (and peaceful) state of nature. |
20569 | Kant made the social contract international and cosmopolitan [Kant, by Oksala] |
Full Idea: Kant developed the social contract theory into an international and cosmopolitan idea. | |
From: report of Immanuel Kant (Perpetual Peace [1795]) by Johanna Oksala - Political Philosophy: all that matters Ch.6 | |
A reaction: That is, the contract both operates between states, and rises above them. I found this idea rather thrilling when I first met it (listening to Onora O'Neill). But then I remain a child of the Englightenment. |
21079 | The a priori general will of a people shows what is right [Kant] |
Full Idea: It is precisely the general will as it is given a priori, within a single people or in the mutual relationships of various peoples, which alone determines what is right among men. | |
From: Immanuel Kant (Perpetual Peace [1795], App 1) | |
A reaction: The clearest quotation for showing Kant's debt to Rousseau. Why should Rousseau bother to have a real assembly of the people, if the General Will can be worked out a priori? Indeed, the a priori version must be deemed superior to any meeting. |
21078 | A constitution must always be improved when necessary [Kant] |
Full Idea: Changes for the better are necessary, in order that the constitution may constantly approach the optimum end prescribed by laws of right. | |
From: Immanuel Kant (Perpetual Peace [1795], App 1) | |
A reaction: This should be a clause in every constitution. It is crazy to feel trapped by a misjudgement or outdated view of your ancestors. |
21077 | Each nation should, from self-interest, join an international security constitution [Kant] |
Full Idea: Each nation, for the sake of its own security, can and ought to demand of the others that they should enter along with it into a constitution, similar to the civil one, within which the rights of each could be secured. | |
From: Immanuel Kant (Perpetual Peace [1795], 2.2nd) | |
A reaction: Not sure how close the United Nations takes us to this. You have to admire Kant for this one. |