The Philosopher’s Peace: Lasting or Final? Kant and Democratic Peace Theory

JVF Conference Papers

Although Kant’s philosophy of peace arises from this same modern tradition of the state of nature, it promulgates a teaching about peace that is more positive or optimistic than the views briefly canvassed above. Kant claims that peace is a genuine end, or indeed the end of politics, because it is desired or willed by everyone. We all desire peace, and the fact that it is universally desired, or practically willed, gives it particular validity according to Kant’s conception of practical right.

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