Rousseau was born 1712 in Janeva, he was on the breadline and a traveller. He wrote a book on how people should be educated. He was passionate not particularly rational. Rousseau was founder of romanticism, He explained through state, before society we are born free. society came with law and distorted way of life. For example like a statue through time it becomes rotten or damaged. Society was evil and wanted to return back to a free state. This free state was before government. Hobbs put man kind at the centre of control. Locke believed we are rational and have a brain and therefore discover natural rights and this comes with us.
French revolution: Rousseau was very influential. Contradicted Hobbs and Locke and said that they got it wrong. He explained that we have to go back past everything, there was influence by the Greeks and the 'Socrates' we are part of society, society owns us. It is possible for society to own land, though according to Locke owning property is wrong. Society is the problem because it gave us self-esteem we consider ourselves as we are seen. Progress of civilization is responsible for all our miseries. we worry about what people think of us. Society is bad for us though he knows we can't go back. Main problem was to find someone to protect (like Hobbs) 'As free as before' we can have society that gives us protection like Hobbs and property and goods like Locke. However Rousseau wants us to be free and have rights. Only obeying yourself.
The General Will:
- when we obey its laws we do, he wants to say, no more than obey ourselves.
- for it to be driven by appetite alone is slavery and obedience to the laws one has prescribed for oneself is freedom
- Contrast with liberal, public and private sphere
- Rousseau believes there is no conflict, Danger there is new kind of dictatorship the tyranny of law and if anyone refuses to obey the general will be 'Forced to be free'. Freedom exist only in service, our freedom starts were law begins. Only be free if you follow the laws and if you don't will force you.
French revolution: Rousseau died before but his ideas were influential. Declaration of the rights of man. Men are born and remain free in equal rights. the principle of all sovereignty resolves essentially in the nation. Law is the expression of the general will. Every citizen has a right to participate personally or through his representation in its foundation. Civil religion- Rousseau believed God created everything but went away. The idea of a supreme being, trying to take power away from catholic church.
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