Boundaries of Enlightened Absolutism: Kant and Frederick the Great
Boundaries of Enlightened Absolutism: Kant and Frederick the Great

Summary/Abstract: This article presents the ambivalent attitude of Immanuel Kant towards Frederick the Great. Although he died before Kant wrote his critical writings in the field of legal and political philosophy, Friedrich left such a strong influence on Kant’s ideas that even the French Revolution failed to suppress. Because of this influence Kant was never able to develop all the liberal potentials of his legal and political philosophy, nor to make a consequent distinction, elaborated in the scriptures about eternal peace, between despotism and the republic, especially the best ones – monarchist – over which hovered a permanent shadow of Kant’s favourite ruler – Frederick.

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