Philosophy 4
Jean-Jacques Rousseau had a theory of human nature that differed from
all others. The way we started, grew as a society, and live now, are totally
different than what we have already learned this semester. He thought of what
is called a Social Contract Theory. This theory will be discussed in this paper,
especially in the aspects of personal freedom, the role of the intellect, human
social and/or spiritual relations, and the nature of the self.
How much personal freedom does a person have? Well, Rousseau would
say that humans do have personal freedom, but that freedom is hard to keep. He
would say that, “Humans are born free, and everywhere they are in
chains.”(notes ...
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are subjugation, dominance, and oppression. These chains are artificial, because we are born free. Humans acquired the chains, Rousseau would argue. He will go on to say that because humans began to rationalize these chains were caused. Thinking rationally creates generalities , and along with the generalities comes labeling people. We began to use reason to get things that we would call our own possessions. Having possessions and property are caused by rational thinking, and those generalities create inequalities, because there are the rich, who have all the possessions, and the poor, who have none, but want the rich peoples’ things. If nobody was using reason, there would be no disputes about personal items, because nothing would belong to anyone.
In other words, humans use reason all the time. Today, we think
rationally. Even though Rousseau believes that this is not the way to live, he
admits that it does exist. Our personal freedom is driven on pride ...
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"Philosophy 4." Essayworld.com. June 19, 2006. Accessed April 26, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Philosophy-4/47775.
"Philosophy 4." Essayworld.com. June 19, 2006. Accessed April 26, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Philosophy-4/47775.
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