Kantian Journal

2012 Issue №4(42)

Anthropological foundations of John Rawls' political theory

Abstract

The analysis of Rawls’ anthropological model, underlying his theory of justice, reveals its complex basis: on one hand, it is an attempt to attach broader and deeper Kantian philosophical foundations to “ratonal egoist” of classical utilitarianism (idea of autonomy, ability of self-determination through moral law); on the other hand, the notion of “life plan”, emphasizing rationality of human interests and actions and opening a possibility for happiness, connects Rawls’ theory to Aristotle’s virtue ethics and to contemporary communitarianism.

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The interpretation of the ideas of I. Kant’s treatise Perpetual Peace in the modern liberal democratic peace theory

Abstract

This article focuses on the interpretation of ideas of Kant’s Perpetual Peace treatise in the modern democratic peace theory. Despite the fact that the advocates of the theory consider Kant’s perpetual peace project the political and philosophical framework of their concept, the analysis shows that the democratic peace theory misinterprets many ideas of Kant.

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“Kant’s theory of politics” in “existential liberalism” of Gerhardt

Abstract

This article focuses on the interpretation of Immanuel Kant’s political views in V. Gerhardt’s “existential liberalism”. The author considers the basic elements of the “theory of politics” presented in this interpretation, emphasises the components of interpretation per se and additional reception, and offers a critical analysis of certain conclusion from the general point of view of contemporary discussion on Kant’s political works.

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