Isaiah’s Prophecy and the Idea of “Classical Harmony”

Abstract

The Idea of classical harmony unites the morality of the individual, social justice, and the ethical behavior of the state. ‘ 111 Is powerful and alluring idea is Imperative of the cosmopolitan imagination—the creation of a world community binding all peoples to the same universal laws and principles. The question whether Isaiah was the first to Introduce a profound vision of the Idea of classical harmony Is the centerpiece of this chapter. That such an Idea has Informed political thoughtsince ancient times Is undeniable. It has had a lasting Influence, and is integrated in nco-Kantian approaches, “Wilsoriianism, and the democratic peace thesis.¹