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16 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Basic background |
Born in Prussia to a fundamentalist family Influence of missionary zeal is in his writing - unflexible views on morality Lived through the french revolution Didn't become relevant until 1980s & 90s in IR |
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What -politan is he? |
Cosmopolitan: idea that human beings all begin to a single moral community Deontological: Something done because its the right thing without thinking of effects NOT telelogical: something done for the sake of the end - "means to an end" |
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Nature of knowledge (Hutchings DATE) |
Believed out ability to understand things is limited because we're only humans & our approach to knowledge should account for this Hutchings 1995: our theory of knowledge is limited but our understanding of morality isn't - "potential of humanity to transcend our limitations" |
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Views on morality |
'If you were to do this action all the time, would it still be right?' e.g. killing someone to protect someone else is wrong on the basis you shouldn't be killing all the time. |
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On Politics |
Human nature can be developed to make a better world - doesn't always have to be a barrier Politics is there to create moral laws & society that allow people to flourish 'Perpetual peace' follows an ordered and moral society |
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On Democracy (quote) |
Not a fan of democracy - instead advocated for a civic constitution where the government was restrained by the people, not by democracy Concerned by a tyranny of the majority ‘The problem of establishing a perfect civic constitution is dependent upon the problem of a lawful external relation among states and cannot be solved without a solution of the latter problem.’ |
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Morality in international politics |
The 'good life' isn't confined to the domestic sphere - the international sphere must work better so countries can flourish domestically Cannot be achieved without a universal moral framework - HRA? |
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Justice (quote) |
‘Any action is right if it can coexist with everyone’s freedom in accordance with a universal law, or if in its maxim the freedom of choice of each can coexist with everyone’s freedom in accordance with a universal law.’ Justice is cosmopolitan - justice is created by humans & order isn't possible without it |
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Perpetual Peace |
Humans will only get better & better the more we exercise reason as a society - perpetual peace will some day be possible due to increasing global interdependence 'Mechanical course' leading to harmony Idea of global peace became popular at the end of the Cold War |
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What do we need for peace? |
Republican constitutions - rules held in check by populations, structures & rules Ordinary people are much more sceptical of war and will hold gov to account Federation between states that works for peace - e.g. UN Universal hospitality: we should reject automatic hostility & be more concerned about world events & global suffering |
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Kant on Happiness (Waltz) |
Waltz 1962: Using utility or happiness as a standard of morals or legislation doesn't work - no certainty or universality in defining 'happiness' Instead, people should be free to do whatever pleases them so long as it doesn't infringe on others - you cannot force people to be happy |
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Kant on equality & meritocracy |
Each man is an equal to another and should have the same rights - men have equal rights to property depending on their abilities
There should be no nobility of birth but only meritocracy - great inequality of wealth will destroy equality of opportunity Laws should be made to lessen family lands being passed down through inheritance |
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Kant on Freedom |
Opposed forced military service - people are not objects that the rulers can dispose of Only in a republic can people hope for equality & freedom "the liberty of the press is the sole palladium of the rights of the people." |
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Waltz criticism of Kant |
Men need the protection of the law before they can lead a moral life -a civil state isn't sufficient for this |
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Kant's similarities with liberalism (Waltz) |
Waltz 1962: The source of an individuals rights lies outside the state - his freedom may only be limited when he interferes with the rights of others All men are equal - and men always have a greater potential than their current situation and they can flourish with education Unlike many liberals, he condemns war |
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Hegel's critique of Kant |
Kant's morality is abstract - cut loose from nature & therefore empty Criticses Kant's argument that a person follows reason on their own - instead proposes the idea of ''Sittlichkeit": obligations within a community that causes people to morals Similar to Weber's Social Contract? |
