Need for virtue, History

Assignment Help:

Rousseau and the need for Virtue

If Voltaire was the prime example of an Enlightenment philosophe who promoted reason as the essential characteristic of human beings, the other tradition of Enlightenment thought which emphasized virtue was embodied by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Rousseau was born in the city of Geneva, which meant he was a Calvinist and a citizen of a republic. He was, like Diderot, the son of a watchmaker, who educated Jean-Jacques informally but intensely. As a teenager, the young Rousseau left for Paris, converting to Catholicism along the way. He was very interested in the Enlightenment, but concerned that its emphasis on reason as the source of all useful knowledge was misguided.

In 1750 he became well known for an essay in which he argued that despite what the philosophes said practical knowledge did not contributed to morality at all; instead it had corrupted people's morals in Europe, because it had encouraged people to become reliant on others rather than producing all they need for themselves. He considered such a situation to be unnatural, because it inevitably led to inequality (moral, political and economic) among people.

 


Related Discussions:- Need for virtue

The 1950''s, There are two main views of the 1950s: One considers it a time...

There are two main views of the 1950s: One considers it a time of growing affluence, and an era of high tide for American society; however, others consider the decade to be filled

Richard nixon''s overwhelming reelection in 1972, All of the following fact...

All of the following factors contributed to Richard Nixon's overwhelming reelection in 1972 except: negotiations toward an end to the war in Vietnam, Nixon's refusal to visit commu

Compare the first and second new deals, Compare and contrast the First and ...

Compare and contrast the First and Second New Deals. Be sure to examine the problems they sought to address as well as their goals, opposition, and results.

What ways did nation attempt to ''heal'' after the civil war, In what ways ...

In what ways did the nation attempt to 'heal' after the Civil war? In what ways was this similar to a 'family tragedy' in the way the nation coped with the aftermath?

Summarize the crimes of president richard nixon, Summarize the crimes of Pr...

Summarize the crimes of President Richard Nixon and how they effect the office of the President since Watergate.

What forces help influence public opinion in society, Besides education and...

Besides education and family, what forces help influence public opinion in American society?

Great depression was caused by a lot of things, The Great Depression was ca...

The Great Depression was caused by a lot of things, and people say that Hoover's policies made it worse. Can someone please explain some of the causes to me? I need to write a pape

Religion in the new constitution, Please explain what James Madison views b...

Please explain what James Madison views based on the Founding Faith by Steven Waldman were. Especially, pertaining to Religion in the new Constitution.

What were the land pressures, What were the land pressures that led to the ...

What were the land pressures that led to the French and Indian War?

Andrew jackson - the man and the symbol, Define the following term and expl...

Define the following term and explain it's importance: Andrew Jackson (the man and the symbol)

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd