New European rationalism and the political testament of Immanuel Kant

The paper analyzes main philosophical, scientific and political ideas of the New Time and the Enlightenment, as well as the “Perpetual Peace” treatise by I. Kant. It examines in detail “An essay towards the present and future peace of Europe by the establishment of a European diet, parliament or estates” (1693) by William Penn, “Projet pour rendre la paix perpétuelle en Europe” by Charles-Irénée Castel, abbé de Saint-Pierre (1713–1717), ideas of Ch. Montesquieu and J.-J. Rousseau. The paper shows that in the ideological and political terms, the treatise by I. Kant was a step forward compared to the works of his predecessors. It notes that the projects of William Penn and de Saint-Pierre were largely implemented in the political practice of the second half of the 20th — early 21st centuries, while the Kant’s project had a different fate: none of the key articles of the “Perpetual Peace” treatise was implemented. The paper proves that today, in conditions of the escalating arms race and growth of the military conflicts, Kant’s treatise remains extremely relevant. The treatise should be considered as a political testament of the great philosopher to modern politicians and public officials.

EDN MAMDXH

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