Rousseau Flashcards
When and what year was Rousseau born ?
Geneva 1712
What did Rousseau write about and what are the books called?
Wrote about philosophy of education in ‘Emile’ , an autobiography called ‘The Confessions’ , ‘The Social Contract’ and ‘The Discourse ‘
What 4 reasons was Rousseau regarded as totalitarian ?
Recommends the complete subservience of individuals to the state, rejects the rights of individuals over what the state can legitimately do , recommends the abolition of interest groups and recommends that individuals can be ‘forced to be free’
What issues are addressed in the social contract ?
Book 1 + 2 = Political Morality
Book 3 + 4 = Theory of institutions
What make the political society legitimate ?
If it served the common interest of citizens and preserves their freedom , and the institutions required of this sort of political society are democratic and egalitarian.
What does Rousseau interpret freedom as independence from?
(1) the will of others (2) ones own irrationalities . So being in control of ones life rather than not hvaing obstacles put in our path
Why is it if we are constrained by law we can remain free ?
a) the law protects us from being dependent upon others (b) if we can regard the laws as ones we set ourselves
What does Rousseau argue about freedom ?
That we have lost freedom and replaced it with inequality , unfreedom and vice
What are the 4 stages of history ?
The natural condition of humankind ( Pre political / pre-social where individuals are savages and free in the sense as not subject to will of others and not subject to unruly passions of pride , envy etc) , The development of society ( the development of natural relationship produced individual who lank independence) , Self-worth ( increase dependence gives rise to a concern for self- worth , recognised in two ways ) reasonable amour proper which is the notion that everyone’s worth is equal or 2) inflamed amour proper which is the desire to be better than others.) and the development of inequality or dependence ( division of labour gives rise to inequality because the strong and productive could gain more, these were then made into laws.)
Why are individuals subject to the will of others ?
society has produced an inequality of property, there is a political subordination of some and people sense of self esteem depends on them gaining the approval of others
What does Rousseau say there is an anxiety for ?
Anxiety for status or recognitions, gives rise to arrogance, contempt , glory, pride etc . Individuals are subject to passions of pride since one needs the approval of others , involving competitions
What are the summary finding from the discourse ?
(1) Inequality and unfreedom are not natural but the product of social development (2) Human history has taken a tragic path (3) given the right social structures history could take a better path (4) to be free one needs the right kind of society
What are two problems that Rousseau says there is ?
The explanatory problem and the Justificatory problem
Why does the fundamental problem arises ?
As the state of nature cooperation is needed but this reduces freedom. There must be (1) obtaining personal and material security (2) remaining free
What is needed in a political society for it to be free?
every individual in society has consented to the association, everyone must be made better off in terms of their prospects for personal security and satisfaction of their needs and everyone must remain as free as they were in the state of nature .
