Rousseau Flashcards
What is Rousseau’s conception of human nature in its natural state?
Rousseau believed that humans in their natural state are inherently good, equal, and free. Society, especially through private property, corrupts individuals, introducing inequality and dependence.
What is the significance of Rousseau’s quote, “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains”?
This quote reflects Rousseau’s belief that while humans are born free, societal institutions, particularly private property, create chains of inequality and dependence, which raise the question of how to make these chains legitimate.
What is the body politic in Rousseau’s The Social Contract?
The body politic is a unified community formed through the social contract. Individuals subordinate their private interests to the general will, creating a state that operates like a body, where each citizen contributes to the common good.
What is the general will, according to Rousseau?
The general will represents the collective interest of the community, transcending individual desires. It is not the same as the majority opinion, but reflects shared goals and values, aiming for the common good.
How does Rousseau distinguish between the general will and the majority opinion?
The general will is the collective interest of the community, whereas the majority opinion is merely the preference of the most people. The general will aims at the common good, while majority opinion may reflect temporary or self-interested desires.
Why does Rousseau prefer direct democracy over representative democracy?
Rousseau favored direct democracy because it allows all citizens to participate directly in lawmaking, ensuring that the general will can truly emerge. He criticized representative democracy, believing it alienates citizens and undermines the sovereignty of the people.
What does Rousseau mean by being “forced to be free”?
Rousseau’s controversial idea suggests that individuals may be compelled to follow the general will, which reflects the collective good. He argued that true freedom is found in aligning oneself with laws that serve the common good, even if it requires coercion.
What is the difference between negative liberty and positive liberty in Rousseau’s thought?
Negative liberty is the absence of interference, while positive liberty is the ability to live under self-imposed laws that reflect the collective good. Rousseau emphasizes positive liberty, where freedom is realized through participation in the creation of laws that serve the public good.
What is Rousseau’s view on civic liberty?
Civic liberty, in Rousseau’s view, is a form of positive liberty where citizens participate in lawmaking and live under laws that reflect the general will. This form of liberty allows individuals to be free as autonomous, self-governing members of the body politic.
How does Rousseau link individual freedom with collective responsibility?
Rousseau argues that genuine liberty is achieved when personal interests are subordinated to the common good, and citizens contribute to the creation of the laws they follow, thereby balancing individual freedom with collective responsibility.
How does Rousseau criticize representative government?
Rousseau criticized representative democracy because it alienates citizens from the lawmaking process. He believed that elected officials often prioritize their own interests over the public good, undermining the sovereignty of the people.
What role does the social contract play in Rousseau’s political theory?
The social contract is the mechanism by which individuals form a unified community (the body politic), agreeing to subordinate their private interests to the general will. This contract reconciles individual freedom with collective responsibility.
TRUE/FALSE Rousseau believed that humans in their natural state are inherently corrupt and unequal, and that society makes them good and free.
False
TRUE/FALSE The general will, according to Rousseau, reflects the collective interests of the community, and it is the same as the majority opinion.
False
TRUE/FALSE Rousseau favored representative democracy over direct democracy because it allows citizens to elect officials who can better represent their interests.
False
