The Centre for European and Public Law invites you to the book launch of The Postulate of Public Right, by Prof Patrick Capps and Prof Julian Rivers. The event will be both online and in person and is open to the public as well as University of Bristol staff.
Kant's main work in the philosophy of law – the Doctrine of Right (1797) – is notoriously difficult for modern readers to understand. Kant clearly argues that rightful relations between human beings can only be achieved if we enter into a civil legal condition taking a defined constitutional form. In this Element, we emphasise that Kant considers this claim to be a postulate of practical reason, thus identifying the pure idea of the state as the culmination of his entire practical philosophy. The Doctrine of Right makes sense as an attempt to clarify the content of the postulate of public right and constructively interpret existing domestic and international legal arrangements in the light of the noumenal republic it postulates. Properly understood, Kant's postulate of public right is the epistemological foundation of a non-positivist legal theory that remains of central significance to modern legal philosophy and legal doctrinal method.
Speakers:
Prof Patrick Capps, University of Bristol
Prof Julian Rivers, University of Bristol
Discussants:
Dr Martin Sticker, University of Bristol
Angelo Ryu, University of Oxford
Further information
To join the event, please register on Eventbrite to secure your place. You will receive the joining link when you register for the event. If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Gianna Eckert.