Exam 1 - Rousseau Flashcards
Main Question?
has the restoration of the Arts and Sciences had a purifying or corrupting effect on morals?
How has arts and sciences changed us?
When we were one with nature, we were simpler, more connected with others
-now we have vices (money, power, fame, etc) not reliant on nature anymore which is not what matters
How did the various ancient countries relate to this?
Examples of Egypt, Greece, Rome, Turks, and Chinese began with nature but they conquered, expanded, became self reliant, and was destroyed
How does nature hide knowledge from us?
Like a mother taking knife from baby, protecting them from dangers, trying not to expose us
How did the sciences come from vices? Astronomy and Physics?
Astronomy came from superstition
Physics came from an idle curiosity or nosiness
Why is wealth and luxury a useless evil?
Money doesn’t buy morals and good citizens, it misses the point and doesn’t make us better but actually worse
Why is our studying worthless nowadays?
We teach specialization and not virtue, what’s the point without virtue, it cheapens them
What is his conclusion?
Nature is found in our hearts so we must follow our hearts and reunite with nature and virtue like the past
