What Immanuel Kant thinks about government
German philosopher (1724 to 1804), born in Königsberg, where he taught at the university; author of the three Critiques and the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.
Immanuel Kant did not write this page.
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6 dated positions, c. 1795, in their own words. Our reading of what Immanuel Kant has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Their wordsFor a state is not a property (patrimonium), as may be the ground on which its people are settled. It is a society of human beings over whom no one but itself has the right to rule and to dispose.
↗Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Essay (1795; M. Campbell Smith translation)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Our readingOutside powers interfering in a nation's internal strife violate its rights as an independent nation
Their wordsSo long, however, as the inner strife has not yet reached this stage the interference of other powers would be a violation of the rights of an independent nation which is only struggling with internal disease.
↗Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Essay (1795; M. Campbell Smith translation)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Their wordsFor the ruler is not a citizen, but the owner of the state, and does not lose a whit by the war, while he goes on enjoying the delights of his table or sport, or of his pleasure palaces and gala days. He can therefore decide on war for the most trifling reasons, as if it were a kind of pleasure party.
↗Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Essay (1795; M. Campbell Smith translation)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Their wordsAnd hence, from the standpoint of reason, the result will be the same as if both forces did not exist, and each individual is compelled to be, if not a morally good man, yet at least a good citizen.
↗Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Essay (1795; M. Campbell Smith translation)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Their wordsThat kings should philosophise, or philosophers become kings, is not to be expected. But neither is it to be desired; for the possession of power is inevitably fatal to the free exercise of reason.
↗Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Essay (1795; M. Campbell Smith translation)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Their wordsRight must be held sacred by man, however great the cost and sacrifice to the ruling power.
↗Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Essay (1795; M. Campbell Smith translation)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book