Kant’s Categorical Imperative and the Path to Perpetual Peace
Kant’s Concept of Duty and Ethics
Formal Ethics and the Good Will
Kant’s ethics are based on duty and not on the basis of good. It is a formal ethics, valid for anyone who has the capacity to be rational. The moral value of an action is not determined by the specific outcome, but by the ability to achieve it, the means by which it is achieved: the good will. Formal ethics is based on how we need to be good people. Humans, according to Kant, act according to duty. Duty is defined as the need for action out of respect for the law. We decide what to do and how to do it. We have to respect the laws because it is our duty.
Actions from Duty and Moral Value
Actions from duty have moral value. For example, a politician who tells the truth because it is their duty acts morally. They may be interested in winning votes, but the action is moral because it is done out of duty. The action is not a means to an end but something that must be done to be good people and respect the laws.
Perpetual Peace
Preconditions for Perpetual Peace
Perpetual Peace assumes the form of an idea if the concepts of knowledge are noted as moral. The objective is to establish the preconditions and final conditions necessary for states to achieve perpetual peace. The achievement of perpetual peace is a duty and is manifested in the form of a categorical imperative.
Contractualism
This is the way for humans to be themselves and not depend on anyone. It is called contractualism and affirms that man is a social being by nature, but society and interests are created from a treaty (pact). The form and purpose of this contract will depend on the pre-social state of man. Kant inherited from Rousseau and Hobbes. From Hobbes, he took the notion of the state of nature as “war against all,” and from Rousseau, the idea of “general will” as the master of sovereignty.
Cosmopolitan State
There should be a state among states that all free countries, united by an agreement, prohibit establishing a dictatorship. This resulting union will be called a cosmopolitan state. State law aims to end war using a universal right, guaranteed by universal hospitality.
Political Organization for Peace
Republican Constitution
Political organization for peace is linked through a federation. So it will require good will that will make it possible to be free in any state. The first condition of possibility of perpetual peace among states (republican constitution) is based on representativeness and the division of powers. This constitution is the result of the social contract, which seeks the respect of inalienable universal rights (freedom and equality).
Separation of Powers and Representative System
With the first article, Kant studies how the Republican Constitution must lead states to achieve perpetual peace, based on the separation of powers, the representative system, and freedom and equality (which are considered innate). Only an individual may be subjected to the law that they create, but then they are represented by delegates. To be free means freedom (to only obey your laws). The representative system presupposes that the head of state decides what is considered acceptable for citizens since they represent them, and to ignore their interests would be to fall into despotism. From the existence of the representative system follows that of the division of powers (executive and judicial). This will state the regulative principle, which means that only the laws that the people can give their consent to will be fair.
Forms of State
The differentiation that occurs between the legislature and the executive, and when the chief of state is the owner of the citizens. Forms of state in terms of people and how they have about governors:
- Republican: Respect for the separation of powers and exercises representative power, respecting the will of the citizens.
- Despotic: The majority system makes no rule against those in favor of their interests (arbitrary enforcement of the law).