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Jul 20, 2020 عهود المخيني rated it it was amazing

This is just bright. I cannot help not admiring Rousseau style each time I read for him.

Mar 23, 2018 Eli rated information technology really liked it

Read Discourse on the Origin of Inequality and On the Social Contract

I dig Rousseau for sure. Interested in reading more.

- Crucial passages: 87 (rich and poor, stiff and weak, master and slave) 90 (when self honey becomes toxic and turns to egocentrism) 104-105 (?)
- 65 (love - moral and concrete aspects) 77
- 52 "...The sometime [animals] chooses or rejects by INSTINCT and the later [homo] by an act of FREEDOM"
- On the Social Contract is Principle if Political Right: 155-183, 188-197, 210-230, 241-252. Human nature and social organization possibilities. Philosopher king idea, except useful? Fair and simply. "Natural libe - Crucial passages: 87 (rich and poor, potent and weak, master and slave) 90 (when cocky dearest becomes toxic and turns to egocentrism) 104-105 (?)
- 65 (beloved - moral and concrete aspects) 77
- 52 "...The sometime [animals] chooses or rejects by INSTINCT and the afterward [man] past an human activity of Liberty"
- On the Social Contract is Principle if Political Correct: 155-183, 188-197, 210-230, 241-252. Homo nature and social organization possibilities. Philosopher rex idea, except useful? Fair and just. "Natural liberty (which is limited solely by the force of the individual involved) and ceremonious liberty (which is express by the general will), and possession (which is but the effect of force or the right of the first occupant) and proprietary buying (which can only be based on a positive championship)". "For by its nature the individual will tends toward giving advantages to some and not to others, and the full general will tends toward equality". "There is often a smashing bargain of divergence between the volition of all and the general volition. The latter consists simply the full general interest, whereas the former considers private interest and is merely the sum of individual wills. But remove from these aforementioned wills the pluses and minuses that cancel each other out, and what remains as the sum of the differences is the full general volition". "..what makes the will general is non and then much the number of votes as the mutual interest that unites them". 180 "By itself the populace always wants the good, but by itself it does not always see information technology. The general Volition is always right, simply the sentence that guides jt is not ever aware. Information technology must be made to meet objects as they are, and sometimes as they ought to appear to it. The good path it seeks must exist pointed out to it". Emerging people and civil religion 182-83 sounds similar Machiavelli. "..each citizen would be perfectly independent of all others and excessively dependent upon the city..for only the force of the state brings most the liberty of its members. .. whence information technology follows that the larger the country becomes, the less freedom there is." "Since every human is built-in complimentary and master of himself, no one can, under whatever pretext whatsoever, place another under subjection without his consent. To decide that the son of a slave is born a slave is born a slave is to decide that he is not born a man". "*When, therefore, the opinion contrary to mine prevails, this proves merely that I was in error, and that what I took to exist the general will was not so". Considers clergy a corporate body that should have no role. "It can banish him not for being impious but for being unsociable, for being incapable of sincerely loving the laws and justice, and of sacrificing his life, if necessary, for his duty. ... The dog every bit if ceremonious religion ought to be simple, few in number, precisely worded, without explanations or commentaries". ...more

Jan 29, 2013 Sarah Furger rated it information technology was astonishing

Rousseau is a genius, and primal to understanding the French Revolution, the 18th century intellectual movement, and Enlightenment thought. He also provides the ground for several other political systems, including the American 'democracy'.

I believe one of the well-nigh significant quotes is every bit follows: "...for information technology is obviously opposite to the police force of nature, however it may be defined, for a kid to command an onetime human being, for an imbecile to lead a wise human, and for a handful of people to gorge themselves on

Rousseau is a genius, and fundamental to understanding the French Revolution, the 18th century intellectual move, and Enlightenment thought. He too provides the basis for several other political systems, including the American 'democracy'.

I believe one of the most significant quotes is every bit follows: "...for it is obviously contrary to the police force of nature, however it may be divers, for a kid to command an one-time human, for an imbecile to lead a wise man, and for a handful of people to gorge themselves on superfluities while the starving multitude lacks necessities" (81).

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Jul 24, 2012 James rated it it was amazing

although i fundamentally disagree with some of his arguments, he writes very well. his logic is sound as well, i just disagree with some of his premises. very well translated and notated. the introduction is excellent as well.

Aug 03, 2007 Rachel rated it liked it

I'm a dorck and I liked it. What can I say? I like HObbes even more. I'thou a dorck and I liked information technology. What tin can I say? I like HObbes even more. ...more than

Dec xx, 2008 Shad rated it did not similar it

I was non impressed with Rousseau'southward theories on politics, natural man or progress. Based on the influence his works have had, I expected much more. Both his cognition and intellect appear lacking. I was not impressed with Rousseau'south theories on politics, natural man or progress. Based on the influence his works have had, I expected much more. Both his knowledge and intellect announced lacking. ...more than

Non an "endorsement" of Rousseau's ideas since he seems to only intend for his ideas to apply to white men, but information technology's pretty fascinating to read his works written at different points in his life.
-Had some bold ideas nigh evolution, and in one note to the Discourse on Inequality he criticizes the prejudices of other European writers and travelers and how they e'er use their "European standards" to others.
-Often notes his admiration about indigenous communities, different most other writers Non an "endorsement" of Rousseau'southward ideas since he seems to simply intend for his ideas to employ to white men, but it's pretty fascinating to read his works written at different points in his life.
-Had some assuming ideas about evolution, and in one annotation to the Discourse on Inequality he criticizes the prejudices of other European writers and travelers and how they always apply their "European standards" to others.
-Frequently notes his admiration nearly indigenous communities, unlike virtually other writers, but it feels like more than of a fetish because his ideas about ethnic peoples still exist with the "European imaginary" and he's all the same "othering" and separating them, that they're at an before/primitive phase in development, which is problematic -For all he does to trace inequality and the disuse of European societies, he just cares about inequality of wealth and status for white men, so his Social Contract theory, which seeks to remedy all the issues he lays out in the Discourses, is about white men.
-Reveries of a Lonely Walker have a transcendentalist vibe, which is interesting, and requite more than insight as to where Rousseau was at later in life.
-Definitely someone who has to be read several times because he is a man and writer of many contradictions. ...more than

DISCLAIMER: I only read the Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, and I don't intend to read more of this book until a later appointment (though I practice intend to read it). The Soapbox on Inequality is a very interesting text for students of many fields; political scientific discipline, sociology, anthropology, philosophy; all are touched upon in this curt but packed little essay. The prose is interesting and actually engaging to read, dissimilar some other enlightenment thinkers who pack their work total of dry, diffic DISCLAIMER: I but read the Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, and I don't intend to read more of this book until a later appointment (though I do intend to read it). The Discourse on Inequality is a very interesting text for students of many fields; political science, folklore, anthropology, philosophy; all are touched upon in this short but packed little essay. The prose is interesting and really engaging to read, different another enlightenment thinkers who pack their piece of work full of dry, difficult to read prose that is as intellectually stimulating as it is mentally draining. Rousseau is Non difficult to read at all, but this doesn't diminish from its force at all. I would absolutely recommend it with ane disclaimer; that much of what Rousseau says is technically not considered right nowadays-I wouldn't expect him to have the foresight to be right, nor would I expect that of many 18th century writers- merely the point is not to read this for scientific or intellectual facts, information technology's to read how someone pieced the world together, and that'south what Rousseau does hither. ...more than

This is the only translation i have read of Political Economy and that was a fine read, simply i practice not intendance for this translation (at all) for Rousseau's discourse on inequality nor for his discourse on the arts and sciences. The whole time I read this translation of those ii discourses, I kept existence reminded that I was reading a translation of Rousseau, non Rousseau. I think the translators attempted to mold Rousseau's work into a treatise (a disservice to Rousseau), and information technology felt extremely rigid.. This is the only translation i take read of Political Economy and that was a fine read, simply i do not intendance for this translation (at all) for Rousseau's discourse on inequality nor for his discourse on the arts and sciences. The whole time I read this translation of those 2 discourses, I kept being reminded that I was reading a translation of Rousseau, not Rousseau. I think the translators attempted to mold Rousseau'south work into a treatise (a disservice to Rousseau), and it felt extremely rigid...like if you were to accept Plato and try to fit his work into an Aristotelian model (no cheers!). The Masters' translation of Rousseau'due south first two discourses, which i read earlier reading "The Basic Political Writings," is more cute and absolutely superior. ...more

Jun 05, 2019 Austin Hoffman rated it really liked it

Read "On The Social Contract." Very interesting. Yous tin can see much of modern political theory reflected in Rousseau. He draws heavily upon classical constitutions and history for his conclusions. Rousseau also operates from an optimistic view of homo'south nature and contradicts Aristotle's assertion that human is a political animal (?). His comments at the cease on religion were fascinating in light of the Roman Varro, who claimed much the same thing (and was the target of Augustine'southward first x books in Read "On The Social Contract." Very interesting. You can see much of modern political theory reflected in Rousseau. He draws heavily upon classical constitutions and history for his conclusions. Rousseau likewise operates from an optimistic view of man'due south nature and contradicts Aristotle'south assertion that human is a political animal (?). His comments at the end on organized religion were fascinating in calorie-free of the Roman Varro, who claimed much the same affair (and was the target of Augustine's showtime ten books in Urban center of God), and contemporary society'southward adoption of his proposed civil religion: moral therapeutic deism with 1 cardinal sin, intolerance. ...more than

The Social Contract is really skillful but the others are unnecessary. Formulation of the general volition in iii aspects was more fleshed out than I expected, & approval of Islamic Caliphates was extremely surprising. Otherwise I don't know what to say I'm pretty fucking ill of 18th Century political economy and done putting Rousseau in my essays. Unless y'all study political history or philosophy or just hate yourself do not bother with these writings, get summaries in plain english from the Stanford The Social Contract is really adept but the others are unnecessary. Conception of the general will in 3 aspects was more fleshed out than I expected, & approving of Islamic Caliphates was extremely surprising. Otherwise I don't know what to say I'm pretty fucking sick of 18th Century political economy and done putting Rousseau in my essays. Unless y'all study political history or philosophy or simply detest yourself practice not carp with these writings, go summaries in plainly english language from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on JJ Rousseau. ...more

Sep 10, 2020 Patrick rated it it was amazing

Concluding chapter on civil faith is pure genius. A pleasance to read in general. Regardless of the ambiguities and, sometimes, contradictions, Rousseau put forward his ideas and their structures very clearly. All themes for him seem to revolve around a certain kind of proportion.

Very well written, merely god I practise non similar Rousseau.

good thinking points like the correlation between engineering science and homo evil, only overall quite utopistic ideas of a perfect moral society

Discourse on Inequality and Social Contract

Excerpts of On the Social Contract

The social, the slave, and elite!

Rousseau'due south diss chapter on Hobbes is peak notch scholarly shit-slinging. Rousseau'due south diss chapter on Hobbes is top notch scholarly shit-slinging. ...more than

Rousseau writes with brilliant prose. I found myself highlighting quotes that made me gasp because they were so well written and lovely.

April 16, 2021 Jim rated it liked it

While I generally disagree with his notions of "the noble savage" and his general glorification of The State, and also found much Orwellian doublespeak logic to his philosophy ("slavery is freedom"), I do find Rousseau to be an interesting archetype philosopher of the 18th century French enlightenment. Rousseau seems to be a vital point of reference to political philosophy, and therefore a necessary read. I am glad to take read it and still see it as a sort of starting-point with the likes of John While I generally disagree with his notions of "the noble savage" and his general glorification of The State, and also found much Orwellian doublespeak logic to his philosophy ("slavery is freedom"), I do find Rousseau to exist an interesting classic philosopher of the 18th century French enlightenment. Rousseau seems to be a vital point of reference to political philosophy, and therefore a necessary read. I am glad to have read it and still come across information technology every bit a sort of starting-point with the likes of John Locke, Hobbes, Voltaire, etc. ...more

A collection of Rousseau'southward political writings. His systems are often counter-intuitive and hard to understand, very complex and not always conspicuously expressed. In one case understood though, they pose some quite ingenious political propositions. His conceptions of the social contract, the full general will, the nature of the sovereign, and the nature of government only as the administrator and executor of the full general will of the body politic, are captivating. Credit must exist due to Rousseau for opposing A drove of Rousseau'due south political writings. His systems are ofttimes counter-intuitive and difficult to sympathise, very complex and not always conspicuously expressed. Once understood though, they pose some quite ingenious political propositions. His conceptions of the social contract, the full general volition, the nature of the sovereign, and the nature of authorities simply as the administrator and executor of the general will of the body politic, are captivating. Credit must be due to Rousseau for opposing slavery at a time when non many did; he besides offers conventional critiques of hereditary elite, oligarchy (especially plutocratic elite), tyranny, and monarchy, which are very persuasive.

He prefers small states governed by direct democracies, which he nevertheless and to the detriment of his own normative ideas considers to be probably impossible; the prophecy he makes about the probable impossibility of his own preferred political system looks increasingly sapient in today'southward global context of seven.viii billion & some. Given his belief in the 18th century that the direct democracy he advocates was probably impossible fifty-fifty then, the most telling criticism of his political thought should be against his ain feckless idealism, when confronted past the concessions he even makes himself. He should as well be criticised for his misrepresentation and oversimplification of Hobbes's clarification of the state of nature & the solutions he offers to achieve peace and security. Rousseau'southward view of humanity as naturally chivalrous, empathetic, and cooperative is naive, though the truth of the effect is probably between his own perception and Hobbes's conclusion that the country of nature is "nasty, brutish, and short" without institutional edification.

Overall Rousseau is a thought-provoking political writer, if at many points infuriating through his idealism and the internal inconsistencies of many statements he makes.

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Sep 20, 2013 Nathan rated information technology actually liked information technology

Rousseau is one of the most interesting political theorists of his era, due to his palatable mode of writing. His books and articles are meant to be understood and acted upon, which makes them much more comprehensible, much like when Marx wrote his manifesto in contrast to most of his other work.
Notwithstanding, due to Rousseau'southward intent to write to the masses, his theories are at times contradictory and are consistently overly optimistic when regarding the good of man. Reading him is perhaps about valuable i Rousseau is one of the virtually interesting political theorists of his era, due to his palatable way of writing. His books and articles are meant to be understood and acted upon, which makes them much more than comprehensible, much like when Marx wrote his manifesto in contrast to almost of his other work.
Yet, due to Rousseau'southward intent to write to the masses, his theories are at times contradictory and are consistently overly optimistic when regarding the skillful of man. Reading him is perhaps most valuable in the questions that are asked. He rightfully points to the injustice of certain formulations of politics. His reformulation should be rejected, as information technology could just get either a dictatorship of one or many, merely many of the problems he was attempting to find solutions to remain. ...more

Jean-Jacques Rousseau remains an important figure in the history of philosophy, both because of his contributions to political philosophy and moral psychology and because of his influence on later thinkers. Rousseau'southward own view of philosophy and philosophers was firmly negative, seeing philosophers as the post-hoc rationalizers of cocky-involvement, every bit apologists for various forms of tyranny, and every bit pl Jean-Jacques Rousseau remains an important figure in the history of philosophy, both because of his contributions to political philosophy and moral psychology and because of his influence on later thinkers. Rousseau'south ain view of philosophy and philosophers was firmly negative, seeing philosophers as the post-hoc rationalizers of cocky-involvement, as apologists for various forms of tyranny, and as playing a office in the breach of the modernistic individual from humanity's natural impulse to compassion. The business organization that dominates Rousseau's work is to discover a way of preserving human freedom in a world where human beings are increasingly dependent on one another for the satisfaction of their needs. This concern has two dimensions: material and psychological, of which the latter has greater importance. In the modernistic world, human beings come up to derive their very sense of self from the opinion of others, a fact which Rousseau sees equally corrosive of liberty and destructive of individual authenticity. In his mature piece of work, he principally explores two routes to achieving and protecting freedom: the kickoff is a political one aimed at constructing political institutions that allow for the co-existence of free and equal citizens in a community where they themselves are sovereign; the second is a project for kid development and educational activity that fosters autonomy and avoids the evolution of the near subversive forms of self-interest. Notwithstanding, though Rousseau believes the co-existence of man beings in relations of equality and freedom is possible, he is consistently and overwhelmingly pessimistic that humanity will escape from a dystopia of alienation, oppression, and unfreedom. In addition to his contributions to philosophy, Rousseau was active equally a composer and a music theorist, as the pioneer of modern autobiography, as a novelist, and equally a botanist. Rousseau's appreciation of the wonders of nature and his stress on the importance of feeling and emotion made him an important influence on and anticipator of the romantic motility. To a very large extent, the interests and concerns that mark his philosophical piece of work also inform these other activities, and Rousseau's contributions in ostensibly non-philosophical fields oftentimes serve to illuminate his philosophical commitments and arguments.
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