A Class Discussion of Jean-Jacques Rousseau Mindset and Beliefs

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The in-class discussion on Jean-Jacques Rousseau seemed to be far more active than the class discussion on Hobbes. My personal opinion is that this observation can be explained by the fact that the selected passages offered easier to understand concepts. Although this paper will include class notes taken from "An Essay on the Origins of Social Inequality," "The Social Contract," and "The Faith of the Savoy Priest," I chose to read the first excerpt Although the class never came to a consensus on the substance of these articles, a few main points do seem to exist.

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First, Jean-Jacques Rousseau seemed to have his mind set for his preferred government. He suggests that constant union (blood and laws), obedience to laws, and respect for ministers was key to survival, whereby a republic should not only be the ideal form of government, but should also be an example to other nations. His warning to this was to watch for "sinister constructions" and "venomous rumors.

" Furthermore, Rousseau highlighted that focus of government should be on preservation and prosperity of its people. As far as rights, Rousseau (like Hobbes) believed that individuals could choose to forgo individual rights in order to achieve "civil tranquility." Giving up these rights would giver the power of government to the people as a whole where groups would be formed to have equal say when considering liberty. An example of this is paying taxes when the money gained from the taxes goes toward protection for all of the people. Using this standard, giving up freedom to support the common good allows for a greater gain of liberty than loss of liberty.

Inequality was a second major point in the excerpts we talked about in class. More specifically, Rousseau's thoughts on inequalities implied that people desire inequalities as a way of assurance of being better than others. He did not feel, however, that monarchy governments allowed this natural inequality system to play out: Rousseau argued that a king would lead to inequality based on money or power rather than the inequalities brought as a gift from God. Thus, inequalities were a necessary part of human nature. To Rousseau, human nature would grant individuals the inapt ability to do what is right as an instinct because humans were not completely evil. This idea alludes to his idea of individuals being born with a clean slate to make their own choices and write what they want for their life.

Religion was the third point discussed during class Wednesday. Rousseau did not necessarily agree with organized religion. In fact, Rousseau was known to have believe in a God but did not see a connection between faith and reason: his reason told him his faith could not have been true. Thus, he became somewhat of a deist, believing there to have been a God to create this world and then left it to nature. Again with the leaving it to nature theme, Rousseau argued that if people were left to their own good, only one religion would exist, which would have similar concepts and the basic belief in the same God. I believe this to be the first hint of religious denominations. This idea may be key to his title as "model of deism for the Enlightenment."