Up@dawn 2.0

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Section 13 Group 1 Rousseau

Good Evening Group 1
   In reading about Rousseau it is interesting in his view on General Will and how not conforming to this understanding would dessignate one as not being free.  Even more interesting is the view where those who would not conform should be forced to as it shows contribution to societal well being.  This reminds me of a dictator.  His way or the unpaved highway.  This would be a good topic to discuss since there are several pro's and con's that could become of this.  Lets all take the time to think on this view and lets discuss this tomorrow when we meet.

Michael Lucas
10-03-2012

5 comments:

  1. William Casher Brown 1030-13(1)7:44 AM CDT

    I agree micheal. Rousseau was very interesting. Even if his ideas conflicted with one another, I believe he was headed in the right direction. I believe he was influenced by communism, but in order for his General Will to work, like communism it can not be forced. It has to be a natural process and society is not ready for this conversion.

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  2. At the base of Rousseau's ideals is essentially communism. However, I do agree with the idea that it must be a natural process, instead of a forced communal idea. Rousseau insisted, in a kind of eerie way, that if a man or woman opposes a "greater good" idea of society, that they must be "forced to be free". Somehow I think we even see this sort of thing today.

    Questions:
    1. What did Rousseau say must happen if someone opposes the generally accepted idea?

    2. Would Rousseau be a decent leader today?

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  3. Kaitlyn Alexander (13)9:21 AM CDT

    I believe that Rousseau was correct in the idea that we should all live by General Wil for societyl, especially when looking at the tax analogy. Everyone wants low taxes, but you can't have incredibly low taxes without raising the national debt even more. Although I agree with him on this, I do not believe people should be forced to believe in something that they don't. Like you all said, it sounds like a dictator. I think it would be good to discuss both the pros and the cons of Genereal Will.

    Factual Questions:
    Why did Rousseau believe that we 'should be left to our own devices?'
    What was he trying to figure out when writing The Social Contract?
    What is the basic idea of General Will?

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  4. Anonymous11:10 AM CDT

    Born Free: Jean-Jacques Rousseau

    Factual Question: (Fill in the Blank) In the beginning of his book, The Social Contract, Rousseau declares 'Man was born _________ , and everywhere he is in __________ .'
    Answer: Free; Chains

    Discussion Question: Rousseau seems to have the exact opposite view was Thomas Hobbes when it comes to humans and the wilderness vs. society. Present positives and negatives of each Philosopher's theories to determine who has the stronger argument.

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  5. I wasn't sure how Rousseau would be able to force someone to be free. Would that person be demanding to be imprisoned, or insisting to have his liberties taken away? His General Will theory is similar to the story of Sodom and Gomarrah and it shows how he uses religion in politics which I strongly disagree with.

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