The indeterminacy of desire (Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile)

Question 1

What does “our unhappiness consists, therefore, in the disproportion between our desire and our faculties” (p.80) mean?

Answer 1

Happiness is the equilibrium between desires and faculties. Imaginations destroy this equilibrium, thus we should diminish our desires if necessary. This means that the success of our endeavours must be fully within our own powers: “I will what I can achieve”.

Question 2

What is the logic of desire?

Answer 2

1. The capacity for desire moves us. Our power enables us to strive for satisfaction.
   Issue: If we could only satisfy our desires, would we be happy?
   Solution: We will be happy if we match our desires to our power. (capacity)
2. Figure out what to desire/what can satisfy this desire.
   Issue: We need to figure out what to desire, or what will satisfy our desire.
   Solution: Our desire can indefinitely reshape and remodel our desire, therefore it is indeterminate.

Desire is indeterminate (imagination)
Desire is contagious (imitation)

Question 3

Why do humans have superfluous faculties when animals don’t?

Answer 3

Man has the ability to act freely, which allows him to choose, and vary his behaviour.
Man has the ability to imagine/desire, which allows him to have many faculties.