Den filosofiske politiker – Frederik den Store og statsræsonen

Forfattere

  • Mathias Hein Jessen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7146/sl.v0i59.104732

Nøgleord:

Frederick the Great, Reason of State, Enlightenment, Prussia, Legitimization, Enlightened Absolutism

Resumé

Frederick the Great (ruled 1740-86) is one of the main figures of Enlightened Absolutism. Frederic was on the one hand an enlightened philosopher deeply inspired by the ideals of the Enlightenment. On the other hand he ruled one of the most autocratic states in history and commanded the strongest and most disciplined military force of his time. Despite his many writings, however, Frederick is rarely investigated as a political thinker. The article focuses on the political writings of Frederick the Great and more specifically on his use of the concept of reason of state to legitimize his rule, not least with regard to his enlightened ideals. In this struggle for legitimacy, Frederick abolishes the concept of a personal ruler, and in doing so becomes a fascinating figure in the transition from a personalized government to the abstract, depersonalized concept of the state that still dominates our political reality today.

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Publiceret

2018-03-09

Citation/Eksport

Jessen, M. H. (2018). Den filosofiske politiker – Frederik den Store og statsræsonen. Slagmark - Tidsskrift for idéhistorie, (59), 55–70. https://doi.org/10.7146/sl.v0i59.104732