Up@dawn 2.0

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Auto-didactic Section 14 Group 1


Hello fellow Philosophy students,

Tonight's assigned reading on Rousseau was very fascinating, but at the same time, it was contradictory as well. Rousseau often professed the importance of "being free" and making independent choices, while simultaneously proclaiming how unhealthy it was to be controlled. Surprisingly, Rousseau is the same individual that constructed the Social Contract, a work that stresses the significance of order; however, Rousseau suggested laws and mandates that were agreeable upon everyone. He promoted unity and satisfaction among groups. He wanted the world to positively affect every single person. In closing, Rousseau stood for independent thinking and goodwill for the people.

Questions:

1. What is General Will?

2. Do you think that laws are necessary, in order to live "safely" and efficiently?

1 comment:

  1. Courtney Darsey11:37 AM CDT

    Hi,
    Rousseau seems like he knew what he was talking about, but could not really word it correctly. I did not really understand his philosophy. It seemed to contradict itself too much. He believed everyone should be completely free and the only way to achieve that is to stay alone. Whenever a society starts to form, rules must be enforced to protect everyone. Which means they aren't completely free. So he forces them to be free? Either way, it made me think.

    Questions:
    1.) What famous quote did he declare at the beginning of his book Social Contract?

    2.) Why did he believe becoming part of a society was the same as becoming enslaved? Why did he believe joining a society wasn't worth it?

    ReplyDelete

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