Podcast
Questions and Answers
According to Rousseau, what makes natural man physically free?
According to Rousseau, what makes natural man physically free?
- Physical strength and agility
- Access to modern technology and resources
- Absence of a repressive state apparatus or domination by fellow men (correct)
- Submission to the laws of nature
What did Rousseau believe was responsible for societal ills in modern society?
What did Rousseau believe was responsible for societal ills in modern society?
- Excessive freedom of individuals
- Enslavement to artificial needs (correct)
- Lack of technological advancement
- Inadequate government control
What did Rousseau consider as the most fundamental objective of good government?
What did Rousseau consider as the most fundamental objective of good government?
- Expansion of territory and power
- Economic prosperity for the ruling class
- Enforcement of strict laws and regulations
- Freedom of all its citizens (correct)
Why can people never be entirely free in modern society?
Why can people never be entirely free in modern society?
What did Rousseau aim to outline in The Social Contract and other political works?
What did Rousseau aim to outline in The Social Contract and other political works?
How did Rousseau define 'natural'?
How did Rousseau define 'natural'?
How did Rousseau compare modern society to the hypothetical state of nature?
How did Rousseau compare modern society to the hypothetical state of nature?
According to Rousseau, what is the general will?
According to Rousseau, what is the general will?
In Rousseau's work, where does sovereignty reside?
In Rousseau's work, where does sovereignty reside?
What did Rousseau believe was essential for society’s members to realize their natural goodness?
What did Rousseau believe was essential for society’s members to realize their natural goodness?
According to Rousseau, what should laws record and ensure?
According to Rousseau, what should laws record and ensure?
What did Rousseau revere the state of nature for?
What did Rousseau revere the state of nature for?
What is Rousseau's conception of the state of nature, as opposed to Hobbes' view?
What is Rousseau's conception of the state of nature, as opposed to Hobbes' view?
What principle does Rousseau's political philosophy include, aiming at the common good?
What principle does Rousseau's political philosophy include, aiming at the common good?
What does Rousseau's conception of the general will raise questions about?
What does Rousseau's conception of the general will raise questions about?
What does Rousseau believe laws should guarantee, in relation to the sovereign?
What does Rousseau believe laws should guarantee, in relation to the sovereign?
Flashcards
Rousseau: Physical Freedom
Rousseau: Physical Freedom
Absence of a repressive state apparatus or domination by fellow men.
Cause of Societal Ills
Cause of Societal Ills
Enslavement to artificial needs.
Good Government's Objective
Good Government's Objective
Freedom of all its citizens.
Limited Freedom
Limited Freedom
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Aim of 'The Social Contract'
Aim of 'The Social Contract'
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Defining 'Natural'
Defining 'Natural'
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Modern Society vs. Nature
Modern Society vs. Nature
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The General Will
The General Will
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Where Sovereignty Resides
Where Sovereignty Resides
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Realizing Natural Goodness
Realizing Natural Goodness
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What Laws Should Ensure
What Laws Should Ensure
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Revering the State of Nature
Revering the State of Nature
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Rousseau's Nature vs Hobbes
Rousseau's Nature vs Hobbes
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Political Philosophy
Political Philosophy
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Questions about general will
Questions about general will
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What Laws Should Guarantee
What Laws Should Guarantee
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Study Notes
Rousseau's Political Philosophy
- Rousseau believed in government principles that could provide a level of freedom similar to the state of nature
- He aimed to outline these principles in The Social Contract and other political works
- Rousseau defined "natural" by stripping away societal ideas imposed on the true nature of man
- He compared modern society unfavorably to the hypothetical state of nature where people have complete physical freedom
- Rousseau revered the state of nature for the physical freedom it grants people
- His conception of the state of nature differed from Hobbes, who viewed it as a state of war and savagery
- Understanding the state of nature is essential for society’s members to realize their natural goodness
- Rousseau's political philosophy includes the principle of the general will, aiming at the common good
- The general will is the will of the sovereign, equivalent to the will of all in a healthy state
- Laws should record the general will and ensure individual freedom, guaranteeing loyalty to the sovereign
- Rousseau's conception of the general will raises questions about how to gauge and codify it accurately
- In Rousseau's work, sovereignty resides in all the people of the society as a collective, opposed to the government
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