Graduate Studies

 

First Advisor

Colin McLear

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Department

Philosophy

Date of this Version

8-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Citation

A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate College of the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Major: Philosophy

Under the supervision of Professor Colin McLear

Lincoln, Nebraska, August 2024

Comments

Copyright 2024, Lauren Michelle Kashi. Used by permission

Abstract

There are three principles of public right describing a civil condition and a citizenry that Kant offers: freedom, equality, and independence. I argue that these three principles offer further justification for both protection of property rights and enforcement of redistributive taxation than Kant’s Universal Law of Right and principles of property acquisition alone can. In a civil condition with legitimized laws protecting private property, citizens enjoy maximal freedom from interference, dependence, and inequality. Indeed, the purpose of the civil condition for Kant is to create such freedoms, which are made manifest by laws enforcing private ownership as well as redistribution of property. These freedoms are essential within Kant’s overall theory of right as stated in The Metaphysics of Morals and Toward Perpetual Peace, but I argue they also aid in his discussion of private ownership and redistribution.

Advisor: Colin McLear

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