(I) In Kant’s Perpetual Peace, how does the thesis of the First Definitive Article of the Second Section establish the condition of peace? Which of the articles of the First Section provide a necessary grounding for that thesis? (TWO PAGES PLUS) The thesis of the First Definitive Article of the Second Section is “The civil constitution of every state is to be republican” (Kant 6). “Republicanism is the political principle of the separation of one executive from the legislative power” (8). Democracy, which Kant calls despotism, occurs when the executive and legislative power work together. Because despotism uses “all” to settle a situation, individuals can be threatened or left out. Kant argues that executive and legislative power cannot
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Individuals who follow the law of nature will do good upon themselves and others. Hobbes argues that ‘right’ and ‘law’ are separate from one another. “Right consists in the liberty to do or not do…where ‘law’ picks on one of them – either doing or not doing – and commands it” (59). Commanding the law of nature sets a standard on people’s human rights. With this law, human rights are not jeopardized by individuals that live a destructive life. These two Fundamental Laws of Nature enable a form of covenant by commanding individuals to follow peace and to do what they think is right for themselves and for others.
Because of the law of nature, individuals benefit from the treatment that others give to them that are just and right formed under the guidelines set by Hobbes. Hobbes states that “the mutual transferring of a right is what men call a contract” (61). An example given by Hobbes is when individuals participate in a voluntary act. A voluntary act is when an individual willingly, with no cost, helps another person who needs or wants to be helped. This benefits the person who is being helped, but also showcases the helpers’ characteristic of a good
Individuals who follow the law of nature will do good upon themselves and others. Hobbes argues that ‘right’ and ‘law’ are separate from one another. “Right consists in the liberty to do or not do…where ‘law’ picks on one of them – either doing or not doing – and commands it” (59). Commanding the law of nature sets a standard on people’s human rights. With this law, human rights are not jeopardized by individuals that live a destructive life. These two Fundamental Laws of Nature enable a form of covenant by commanding individuals to follow peace and to do what they think is right for themselves and for others.
Because of the law of nature, individuals benefit from the treatment that others give to them that are just and right formed under the guidelines set by Hobbes. Hobbes states that “the mutual transferring of a right is what men call a contract” (61). An example given by Hobbes is when individuals participate in a voluntary act. A voluntary act is when an individual willingly, with no cost, helps another person who needs or wants to be helped. This benefits the person who is being helped, but also showcases the helpers’ characteristic of a good