Revision:Kant's Premises

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Kant begins with an arbitrary, a priori postulate regarding human nature and attempts to deduce from that a way in which peace can be achieved. He states that what distinguishes humans from animals is their ability to reason, and their ability to escape nature. They have autonomy, and as such are capable of leaving their natural selves behind.

Because humans can reason and choose, each human is capable and indeed should decide what is moral and what is not. Politics, as a sphere in which humans can choose, is inherently a moral sphere. Using this reason we are compelled to abandon our natural state and seek peace.

Kant is optimisitic, because not only does the existence of human reasons suggest that we can achieve perpetual peace, but he also sees that nature wills perpetual peace.

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