Unity In The Story Of Babel

Specifically, Delsol claims that “man is the imperfect being who imperfectly directs himself through perfection” and “what characterizes man is not any unity that is finally, perfected achieved, but the activity and effort undertaken in view of unity, the action by which he progresses toward communion without ever completely realizing it.” The importance communicated by Delsol here is that people seek unity through recognizing each other for differences, not becoming replicas of one another. This is another argument against cosmopolitan justice and the possibility that one way of life could be best for everyone. Delsol says the story of Babel shows that since a “perfect unity” can’t be reached in this earthly realm it must be a “false unity.” Ultimately, the story of Babel is used by Delsol to show that losing diversity and differentiation, which would be necessary under a universal state, could be detrimental. Delsol argues that diversity is required for the fullness of human nature, but fragmentation of humanity is okay as long as freedom is tolerated. Delsol compares NATO’s actions in Kosovo to the United States’ actions in Iraq to explain the violation of diversity. Delsol says …show more content…
Vattel’s interpretation of the sovereignty of states flows from Hobbes natural rights, meaning that the state must do everything for its preservation. Vattel would have seen the actions of the United States in Iraq as defensible because he thinks states have a perfect right to national security. Although Vattel’s defense of states going to war is more expansive then Delsol’s defense in the United States’ actions, both note the importance of recognizing the other states with legal equality. Overall, both thinkers defend the idea of two sovereign states having the right to go to war. This concept of states waging war will be looked at further when the Delsol discusses just