Paper's abstract

Anne & Brunhilde Wehinger Baillot, Frederick the 2nd, A King, a Philosopher and a Lawmaker
This paper presents the philosophy of law of Frederick the 2nd of Prussia (1712-1786). His conception of the judicative function of a Monarch as presented in the Antimacchiavel, as well as his position onlaw reforms are developed. The correspondences between his theory and the measures he took as a sovereign are presented. We thus show how he connects to Montesquieu and, more generally, represents European Enlightenment in theory and action in debates like abortion or torture.

Key Words : Frederick the Great, Enlightenment, Montesquieu, Machiavelli, abortion, torture
t. 52, 2009 : p. 317-332