FWeinert, Bradford University UK1 Kant, Idea for a Universal History (1784) A running commentary by Friedel Weinert

FWeinert, Bradford University UK2 Kant, Universal History Some further Principles of the EnlightenmentSome further Principles of the Enlightenment  Secularisation of accepted beliefs: religion, science, morals, politics  Politics, subject to rational scrutiny  Political Institutions, open to rational reconstruction Some Principles of Kant’s Political PhilosophySome Principles of Kant’s Political Philosophy  The state governed according to the rule of law  Guarantee of civil liberties  Idea of a social contract  Rights of a citizen in a state: freedom, equality, vote  Peace between nations [federation of states]

FWeinert, Bradford University UK3 Kant’s Idea of a Universal HistoryKant’s Idea of a Universal History  Human actions are determined in accordance with natural laws  This idea is not new to Kant: the Enlightenment generally believed in the progress of humanity towards rationality or perfectibility (Condorcet). Marx and Comte believed that human societies evolved according to necessary historical laws.  Kant: individuals and collectivities seem to pursue no overall rational purpose, but there is a hidden plan of nature  Human species moves towards a slow and steady development of man’s original capacities: Example - the development of science Kant, Universal History Some guiding principles for a teleological history of the human species

FWeinert, Bradford University UK4 mFirst Proposition +There is a teleological order of nature: all natural capacities of a creature will develop according to their purpose mSecond Proposition Perfectibility *Natural capacities in human beings are directed towards the use of reason [use of justifiable rules and methods] but they can only fully develop in the species, not in the individual. No limits are set to the projects of reason: Perfectibility Enlightenment acquires a historyprogress But it takes time for the natural capacities to blossom in the species. Enlightenment acquires a history - it is a progress towards the employment of reason, in all spheres. history of science The history of science (from Kepler to Newton) givens an inkling of this progress - apply to social life. Kant, Universal History

FWeinert, Bradford University UK5 uThird Proposition  Humans are responsible for the progress of their own species towards enlightenment and emancipation, through the cultivation of reason. uFourth Proposition  Nature employs antagonism within society to bring about the development of innate capacities  Antagonism: the unsocial sociability in men  General resistance of everyone against everyone else Kant, Universal History Honing of talents, emergence of culture

FWeinert, Bradford University UK6 tFifth Proposition 2Nature compels humans to work towards the establishment of a civil society 2Such a civil society can administer universal justice 2Only a just civil constitution will guarantee that Nature achieves her aim: the emancipation of mankind 2A just civil constitution combines freedom under external laws with irresistible force 2The only laws that can be imposed on a people are laws which the people would accept to impose on themselves Kant, Universal History

FWeinert, Bradford University UK7 wSixth Proposition 1Man is an animal who needs a master (in the human species); the species also needs a master 1Protection of Freedom through political structures wSeventh Proposition 1We can only establish a perfect civic constitution if the relations between states become subject to law 1Need for a lawful federation of states under a commonly accepted international right 1Establishment of peace Kant, Universal History

FWeinert, Bradford University UK8 uEighth Proposition ëHistory of human race as a whole can be interpreted as the realisation of a hidden plan of nature to bring about a perfect political constitution ëThis is the only possible state in which all natural capacities of mankind will be realised ëWe must regard the history of the human race as unfolding according to Providence: a higher purpose towards which we are compelled uNinth Proposition ëA philosophical model of a universal history of the human race towards emancipation is a regulatory idea: it is the perspective from which the historical data can be reconstructed Kant, Universal History