Title
The Limits of Kant’s Cosmopolitanism: Theory, Practice, and the Crisis in Syria
Document Type
Article
Department or Administrative Unit
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Publication Date
5-5-2017
Abstract
Although Kant defends a cosmopolitan ideal, his philosophy is problematically vague regarding how to achieve it, which lends support to the empty formalism charge. How Kant would respond to the crisis in Syria reveals that judgement plays too central a role, because Kantian principles lead to equally reasonable but opposite conclusions on how to weigh the duty of hospitality to refugees against a state’s duty to its own citizens, the right of prevention towards ISIS against the duty not to harm non-combatants, and the responsibility to protect the people of Syria against the duty of non-interference in its internal affairs.
Recommended Citation
Altman, M. C. (2017). The Limits of Kant’s Cosmopolitanism: Theory, Practice, and the Crisis in Syria. Kantian Review, 22(2), 179–204. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1369415417000012
Journal
Kantian Review
Rights
© Kantian Review 2017
Comments
This article was originally published in Kantian Review. The full-text article from the publisher can be found here.
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