POLITICAL THEORY – Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Summary

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, an 18th-century philosopher, challenged the notion of progress by arguing that civilization and societal advancement led to moral decay. He idealized a 'state of nature' where humans were innately good and empathetic, contrasting it with the corrupting influences of modern society. Rousseau's ideas on the 'noble savage,' natural goodness, and the importance of nurturing children's innate goodness profoundly influenced education and the Romantic Movement, shaping modern perspectives on individuality, emotion, and the value of the primitive over the civilized.

Takeaways

• 📚 Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a philosopher who disagreed with the 18th-century notion of progress, arguing that civilization and progress had a corrupting influence on human morality.
• 🏡 Born in Geneva in 1712, Rousseau experienced a life of instability and isolation, which influenced his philosophical views on society and nature.
• 💡 Rousseau's epiphany came from reading an essay question in The Mercure de France, which led him to believe that advancements in arts and sciences had not improved human morality.
• 📜 His 'Discourse on the Arts and Sciences' and 'Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality' are central to his argument that society and civilization lead to moral degeneracy.
• 🌳 Rousseau idealized a 'state of nature' where humans lived simply, in harmony with nature, and were guided by empathy and spontaneous pity.
• 🚶‍♂️ He believed that civilization awakened an unhealthy form of self-love, 'amour-propre', leading to pride, jealousy, and vanity, which were detrimental to morality.
• 👶 Rousseau's views on children and education were revolutionary, advocating for child-centered education and the prevention of societal corruption of children's natural goodness.
• 🎨 His ideas influenced the Romantic Movement, valuing the primitive, the child, and the passionate lover, and continue to resonate in modern culture.
• 📖 In 'Émile, or On Education', Rousseau emphasized the importance of allowing children to develop naturally, free from societal pressures.
• 🖋️ Rousseau's 'Confessions' is one of the first autobiographies, exploring his inner life and personal experiences, which was a new genre of self-expression at the time.

Q & A

What was the conventional view of progress in the 18th century?

The conventional view in the 18th century was that mankind was on a positive trajectory from savagery and ignorance toward prosperity and civilization, as European societies became richer and more technological.

Who was Jean-Jacques Rousseau and what was his disagreement with the conventional view of progress?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was an 18th-century philosopher born in Geneva in 1712. He disagreed with the conventional view of progress, arguing that civilization and progress had not improved people but instead had a destructive influence on their morality.

What was Rousseau's central thesis in his 'Discourse on the Arts and Sciences'?

Rousseau's central thesis was that individuals were once good and happy, but as they entered society, they became plagued by vice and sin, suggesting that civilization had a corrupting effect on human nature.

What is the 'state of nature' as described by Rousseau?

Rousseau's 'state of nature' refers to an idyllic period at the beginning of history where men and women lived in harmony with nature, guided by spontaneous pity and empathy, and were free from the vices that came with civilization.

What did Rousseau identify as the cause of moral degeneracy in civilization?

Rousseau identified 'amour-propre', an unhealthy form of self-love centered around pride, jealousy, and vanity, as the cause of moral degeneracy. He argued this emerged as people began to compare themselves to others and defined their identities in relation to their neighbors.

How did Rousseau's views on the 'noble savage' influence European Society's perception of native tribes?

Rousseau's views on the 'noble savage' contributed to the fascination with native North American tribes, which were seen as materially simple but psychologically rich. However, European contact led to the corruption of these societies, as they began to desire European luxuries and experienced social decay.

What was the main idea behind Rousseau's book 'Émile, or On Education'?

In 'Émile, or On Education', Rousseau suggested that children were born naturally good and that the key to raising them was to prevent their corruption by society, advocating for child-centered education and the importance of natural development.

Why did Rousseau promote breastfeeding in his writings?

Rousseau promoted breastfeeding as a way to reconnect with nature's sentiments and to reform morals, arguing that it was a natural and essential practice for the well-being of children and society.

How did Rousseau's views on human emotions and personal experiences influence his literary works?

Rousseau's literary works, such as his novel 'Julie', celebrated intense emotions and personal experiences over great deeds or social events, reflecting his belief in the importance of individual feelings and the 'noble savage' ideal.

What is the significance of Rousseau's 'Confessions' in the context of his work?

Rousseau's 'Confessions' is one of the first autobiographies, where he explored his inner life in detail, showing the significance he placed on personal introspection and self-awareness as a means to understand human nature.

How did Rousseau's ideas contribute to the Romantic Movement?

Rousseau's ideas, which valued the primitive over the civilized and emphasized the importance of emotions and individual experiences, are considered foundational to the Romantic Movement, influencing the ideology that prioritizes passion, nature, and the individual over societal norms.