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Early Modern Political Thought > Rousseau; Human Nature > Flashcards

Rousseau; Human Nature Flashcards

1
Q

Which type of theorists use the state of nature?

A

State of nature is used by social contract theorists including Rousseau

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2
Q

Rousseau wants to try and get back to the origin of human society
“For how can the source of inequality among men be known…

A

unless one begins by knowing men themselves”

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3
Q

Why have other philosophers concerned about getting back to state of nature failed?

A

Because when they try and come up with what natural humans are like, they look at vices/attributes that humans have in today’s society and place these vices on the natural man.

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4
Q

What has changed the primitive state of man?

A

The progress of civilisation.

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5
Q

What happened to the statue of Glaucus?

What does it look like now?

A

It has been disfigured by time, sea and storms so that it looks more like a wild beast.

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6
Q

Who does he compare the statue of Glaucus to?

A

the human soul over time.

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7
Q

Why does Rousseau disagree with humans being naturally vain?

A

Because vanity is a product of socialisation/society not a characteristic of the natural man.

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8
Q

Which philosopher thinks that human beings are vain, glorious and egotistical in the state of nature?

A

Hobbes state of nature

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9
Q

Rousseau’s account of how human’s develop is what type of history?

A

A conjectural history.

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10
Q

Define Conjecture

A

An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.

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11
Q

Rousseau’s account in not factually how human beings came to live in society
“Lets begin…

A

by putting aside all the facts, for they have no bearing on the question.”

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12
Q

Rousseau’s natural man; What characteristic of the natural man does Rousseau agree with Hobbes about?

A

They are solitary in the state of nature, humans are not naturally social creatures.

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13
Q

Man in his state of nature is essentially an animal like any other, in what ways? (Think speed)

A

They were agile, quick and “ferocious” and able to escape predators

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14
Q

What is natural man’s only instrument/ weapon?

A

His body, so can use it for a variety of purposes.

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15
Q

Were they clothed? Where did they live, in the forest, beach or countryside?

A

They were often naked, the ones in colder regions would have worn animal fur.
They were forest-dwelling creatures.

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16
Q

The natural man has a “Robust and…

A

nearly unalterable temperament”

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17
Q

Define Robust

A

Strong and healthy

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18
Q

Why does the natural man enjoy great health while there are lots of illnesses now?

A

Because diseases are a product of civilisation, no need for modern medicine.

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19
Q

What quote does Rousseau say that shows diseases are a product of civilisation?

A

…most of our ills are of our own making”

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20
Q

Name a diseases that is a result of the extreme inequality of our lifestyle?

A

Gout and diabetes

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21
Q

How can you tell that nature treats all animals better than when domesticated in society? (Think of the lion in the zoo compared to in the wild)

A

Because the horse, cattle, Bull are all taller, braver and stronger in the wild than when domesticated.

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22
Q

Name one characteristic that the natural man has in society that he doesn’t have in state of nature?

A

Weak, Fearful and servile.

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23
Q

Natural Man’s phycology; In Rousseau’s state of nature do humans interact with each other lots?

A

No.

They can go days without encountering another human being. They have no sense of their relationship to other people.

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24
Q

Natural Man’s phycology; Rousseau believes that there were no stable family structure or sexual unions, Why?

A

The family was constructed by society, not present in early stage of nature.

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25
Q

Natural Man’s phycology; How did procreation happen?

A

Males and females came together by chance, procreate, never see each other?

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26
Q

Natural Man’s phycology; Were sexual unions long-lasting/ was monogamy present?

A

No and No.

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27
Q

Natural Man’s phycology; What happens to children one they have the strength to look for food?

A

They leave their mothers and depart forever.

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28
Q

Natural Man’s phycology; Can they speak in the state of nature?

A

No language in the state of nature.

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29
Q

Natural Man’s phycology; What was the initial language ?

A

Gestures because more expressive than noises.

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30
Q

Natural Man’s phycology; What do Rousseau’s natural man have no fear of that Hobbes definitely do? Do they live in the present?

A

No fear of death, don’t know they’re dying. They live in the moment, do not even anticipate what will happen later in the day.

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31
Q

Natural Man’s phycology; The closer you are to nature, the less able you are to project into the…

A

Future.

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32
Q

Natural Man’s phycology; Does the natural man have any foresight? Why not?

A

No because he has no knowledge of the world so therefore no curiosity.

33
Q

Natural Man’s phycology; What is an example that Rousseau uses to show that the natural man has not foresight?

A

e.g. In the morning, they might sell their bed of cotton but then return in tears because they haven’t foreseen that they would need it that night,

34
Q

Natural Man’s phycology; What is the one thing in Hobbesian state of nature that encourages us to leave it?

A

The fear of death.

35
Q

Natural Man’s phycology; What are the needs/ desires of the natural man limited to, “nourishment…

A

a woman and rest”

36
Q

What are the only evils that the natural man knows?

A

pain and hunger.

37
Q

Along with the development of civilisation is the development and multiplication of what? (Think of modern society)

A

Needs. We “need” our mobile phones, hair dryers, hot water ect…

38
Q

Do we need love in the state of nature?

A

No.

39
Q

What are the two types of love that Rousseau differentiates between?

A

Physical and moral love,

40
Q

What aspect of love is artificially made from society?

A

moral love.

41
Q

Is Rousseau’s state of nature conflict prone?

A

no complete absence of conflict

42
Q

Rousseau’s state of nature is absent of conflict but this is not necessarily because people are

A

benevolent or good.

43
Q

Rousseau is often mistaken for thinking natural human beings are good, why in a sense is this true? What does he say that critiques Hobbes?

A

“natural goodness of human beings” in the state of nature

Says that unlike Hobbes, just because they have no idea of goodness, does not mean they are naturally evil.

44
Q

Human beings are not conflict prone but they are …

A

fierce and aggressive.

Hence showing he does not think they are angels .

45
Q

Will there be occasional bouts of violence in the state of nature?

A

Yes.

46
Q

The natural state was peaceful and best suited for the human race, who does not agree?

A

Hobbes.

47
Q

Name one reason why Hobbes’s state of nature is conflict prone? (think of multitude of passions)

A

He’s given the natural man a multitude of passions that are a product of society, not nature.

48
Q

Another reason why Hobbes state of nature is conflict is because he makes a distinction between…
Explain with example of a branch?

A

Injury and damage
If a branch falls on you then you are damaged but if someone hits me with a branch i will seek retribution, vengeance or justice

49
Q

If someone hits me with a branch, I will seek?

A

Retribution, justice or vegeance

50
Q

Does Rousseau’s natural man recognise damage or injury ?

A

Only damage

51
Q

Why do Rousseau’s natural man not recognise injury?

A

Because they have no sense of others as a result of being solitary.

52
Q

Would the natural man see a difference between a branch falling on you and one being swung into the face?

A

No because they do not seek a difference between injury and damage.

53
Q

Why would the natural man not need to seek revenge if someone who hits you with a branch?

A

Because no sense of being devalued and therefore no need to seek revenge someone who has appeared to devalue you.

54
Q

What would a dog mete at a stone that has been kicked at it?
Same sort of vengeance that the natural man would have?

A

The dog immediately biting at the stone but two laters doing something else, no contempt.

55
Q

Is there any vanity towards other human beings in the state of nature?

A

No vanity or contempt towards other human beings.

56
Q

Equality; what type of equality is in the state of nature?

A

natural equality.

57
Q

Why is their natural equality in the state of nature?

A

Because there is no chance of subordination.

58
Q

Why do strong people not subordinate the weak in the state of nature?
What does subordination require?

A

Rousseau says subordination requires institutions, enforcement mechanisms, requires someone to be bound to some kind of contract/ obligation to someone else.

59
Q

Natural man is not dependent on you, so it’s impossible to …

A

enslave them. i.e. a slave is dependent on you for survival so easy to take their freedom/ be enslave.

60
Q

Is there a actual notion of command and obedience or notion that we should legitimately defer to someone else?

A

No, there’s no hierarchy.

61
Q

NO DEPENDENCE SO NO

A

SUBBORDINATION

62
Q

Label the two principles prior to reason in the basic human nature?

A

Self preservation and Pity.

63
Q

What is the french for self preservation ?

A

Amour de soi

64
Q

Describe self-preservation?

A

Love of self, a basic instinct to preserve ourselves. Its different from vanity.

65
Q

Which two philosophers see self-preservation as natural to humans?

A

Hobbes and Rousseau?

66
Q

What does self preservation lead to in Hobbes state of nature?

A

conflict with others.

67
Q

What does self preservation lead to in Rousseau’s state of nature? (what type of violence)

A

it involves fending off attackers and feeding ourselves.

68
Q

Define pity?

A

The passion that prompts us to feel pain of others its a basic sympathy that we have with other people.

69
Q

Does pity decline or increase in civilisation?

A

Decline’s in civilisation

70
Q

Do animals have pity as well? example of an animal showing pity?

A

Yes they do, understand when others are hurting and feel their pain. e.g. mourning sounds of cattle entering the slaughterhouse as feel other cow’s pain.

71
Q

What counters pity in the state of nature?

A

Pity counters our self preservation; we instinctively go to help the person we hear human suffering.

72
Q

What is pity dampened by?

A

our propensity to rationalise. reason smothers basic sentiment of pity.

73
Q

What will a philosopher use their reason to not get involved in?

A

A fight or if someone is in pain.

74
Q

Why does the uneducated women get involved?

A

Because she’s closer to nature; her natural pity is active.

75
Q

Are human beings capable of progress?

What is crucial to human development according to Rousseau?

A

“perfectibility”

76
Q

Define perfectibility ?

A

Its human beings constantly striving to improve.

77
Q

Why is perfectibility a mixed blessing; why in some respects is it a curse?

A

Because its in our capacity to improve and develop our own intellect that leads us into society and vice (source of all misfortunes) Without it, we would have lived a tranquil life in state of nature.

78
Q

On the other hand, why is perfectibility a good thing?

A

Because he suggests that it makes us more interesting and above other species.

79
Q

Is perfectibility reaching perfection?

A

No, but its constantly able to improve ourselves that makes us human.

Early Modern Political Thought (9 decks)

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