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Questions and Answers
Which concept is Jean-Jacques Rousseau primarily known to champion?
Which concept is Jean-Jacques Rousseau primarily known to champion?
Rousseau's political philosophy primarily aims to:
Rousseau's political philosophy primarily aims to:
What does Rousseau consider the common basis of sociability?
What does Rousseau consider the common basis of sociability?
According to Rousseau, what is the primary cause of humans becoming evil?
According to Rousseau, what is the primary cause of humans becoming evil?
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Which of the following best describes Rousseau's view of humans in the state of nature?
Which of the following best describes Rousseau's view of humans in the state of nature?
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What is the central idea expressed in Rousseau's statement: 'man is born free but is chained everywhere'?
What is the central idea expressed in Rousseau's statement: 'man is born free but is chained everywhere'?
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Which of the following is NOT a major work by Rousseau?
Which of the following is NOT a major work by Rousseau?
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For Rousseau, what develops later in human life rather than existing from birth?
For Rousseau, what develops later in human life rather than existing from birth?
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According to Rousseau, what are the two primary instincts humans are born with?
According to Rousseau, what are the two primary instincts humans are born with?
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What did Rousseau consider to be the original evil that endangers all others?
What did Rousseau consider to be the original evil that endangers all others?
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What is Rousseau's view on how inequality is established?
What is Rousseau's view on how inequality is established?
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In Rousseau's description of the state of nature, what best describes the life of primitive man?
In Rousseau's description of the state of nature, what best describes the life of primitive man?
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What is the status of morality for humans in Rousseau's state of nature?
What is the status of morality for humans in Rousseau's state of nature?
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What was the initial catalyst for the development of pride?
What was the initial catalyst for the development of pride?
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In the state of nature, according to Rousseau, what was the primary concern of humans?
In the state of nature, according to Rousseau, what was the primary concern of humans?
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What, according to the text, gave rise to competition among men?
What, according to the text, gave rise to competition among men?
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What does Rousseau suggest prompted humans to move beyond the state of nature?
What does Rousseau suggest prompted humans to move beyond the state of nature?
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Prior to social living, what did primitive man not have, according to Rousseau?
Prior to social living, what did primitive man not have, according to Rousseau?
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What does the text imply was a consequence of the sense of privatization?
What does the text imply was a consequence of the sense of privatization?
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What role did private property play in the pre-civil state?
What role did private property play in the pre-civil state?
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What does the text suggest was a consequence of economic inequality and privatization of property?
What does the text suggest was a consequence of economic inequality and privatization of property?
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What is the primary function of a civil society?
What is the primary function of a civil society?
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What does the text describe as the catalyst for the transition from the state of nature to a civil society?
What does the text describe as the catalyst for the transition from the state of nature to a civil society?
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What was the state of nature like?
What was the state of nature like?
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Study Notes
Social Contract Theory - Jean Jacques Rousseau
- Rousseau championed Popular Sovereignty and Popular Democracy
- His father abandoned him at a young age, leading to an unconventional upbringing
- He expressed his views on the deterioration of moral standards in an essay, winning recognition
- Many books covered diverse subjects, including society, nature, education, and politics
- Key works include Discourse of the Origin of Inequality (1744), Emile (1762), and Social Contract (1762)
- Each of his works directly supports his social and political philosophy
- Rousseau emphasized individual freedom but believed man was chained by society
- Aim of Rousseau's political philosophy was to reconstruct state and society to liberate man and return natural liberty
- His social contract theory is foundational to his political fabric
Rousseau's Conception of Human Nature
- Rousseau believed people are naturally innocent, peace-loving, and content
- Driven by self-preservation and sympathy, not born with reason
- Equality was a natural state, but inequality is created by societal factors (property, private life)
- Men are naturally good, but negative aspects (evil tendencies) develop in society
- The state of nature was pre-social and pre-political, with no existing state
- Primitive man was solitary, free, simple, healthy, and happy
- Guided by self-interest and pity, not by morality (amoral)
- In a state of nature, men were independent, self-sufficient, and noble savages
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Description
Test your knowledge on the key concepts and ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's political philosophy. This quiz covers his views on the state of nature, sociability, and the nature of evil in humans. Challenge yourself to identify Rousseau's major works and his fundamental beliefs about freedom and society.
