17 Questions
According to Rousseau, what makes natural man physically free in the state of nature?
Absence of repressive state apparatus and domination by fellow men
In addition to physical freedom, what other type of freedom does Rousseau believe natural man possesses?
Psychological and spiritual freedom from artificial needs
What did Rousseau believe modern man’s enslavement to his own needs was responsible for?
Exploitation, domination, poor self-esteem, and depression
What did Rousseau consider as the most fundamental objective of good government?
The freedom of all its citizens
What is The Social Contract by Rousseau an attempt to imagine?
The form of government that best affirms the individual freedom of all its citizens
According to Rousseau, why can people never be entirely free in modern society?
As long as property and laws exist
According to Rousseau, what did he aim to outline in The Social Contract and other political works?
Principles of government that provide a level of freedom similar to the state of nature
How did Rousseau define 'natural'?
By stripping away societal ideas imposed on the true nature of man
How did Rousseau view modern society in comparison to the state of nature?
Unfavorably, as it restricts physical freedom
What did Rousseau's conception of the state of nature differ from Hobbes' view?
Rousseau revered the state of nature for the physical freedom it grants people, while Hobbes viewed it as a state of war and savagery
What is the principle of the general will in Rousseau's political philosophy?
The will of the sovereign, equivalent to the will of all in a healthy state
According to Rousseau, where does sovereignty reside in society?
In all the people of the society as a collective, opposed to the government
Why did Rousseau believe understanding the state of nature is essential for society’s members?
To realize their natural goodness
What did Rousseau's conception of the general will raise questions about?
How to gauge and codify it accurately
According to Rousseau, what should laws record and ensure?
The general will and individual freedom, guaranteeing loyalty to the sovereign
What did Rousseau believe laws should guarantee?
Individual freedom, ensuring loyalty to the sovereign
What is the general will according to Rousseau?
The will of the sovereign, equivalent to the will of all in a healthy state
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
Test your knowledge of Rousseau's political philosophy with this quiz. Explore his ideas about the state of nature, the general will, and the role of government in ensuring individual freedom. See how well you understand Rousseau's principles outlined in "The Social Contract" and other political works.
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