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Permissive Laws and Teleology in Kant’s Juridical and Political Philosophy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 January 2022

Joel T. Klein
Joel T. Klein*
Affiliation:
Federal University of Paraná (UFPR/Brazil), Curitiba, Brazil
*
Email: joel.klein@ufpr.br
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Abstract

In this article I argue that the current readings of permissive law fall into hermeneutical difficulties and do not completely explain Kant’s complex use of the concept. I argue that the shortcomings of these interpretations can only be overcome by relating permissive law to practical teleology. That teleological thinking has a role in Kant’s moral thought by way of history is not new. Here, however, I argue that the system of rights itself is in some manner teleologically situated. This interpretation allows us to understand that Kant’s Doctrine of Right plays the role of a realist utopia.

Keywords

permissive lawrightteleologypostulatesystem

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Article
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Kantian Review , Volume 27 , Issue 2 , June 2022 , pp. 215 - 236
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© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Kantian Review

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