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

Atomic bombs against japan in world war ii, Regarding the United States dro...

Regarding the United States dropping atomic bombs against Japan in World War II, what are the things we can say against and for these actions? I need to weigh up the pros and cons

Writing a letter to a world leader, When he was 6 years old Obi was whipped...

When he was 6 years old Obi was whipped for writing a letter to a world leader. Name that leader.

Give Me Liberty, How did the expansion of the British empire affect the fre...

How did the expansion of the British empire affect the freedoms of Native Americans, the Irish, and even many English citizens

Discriminatory practices based on social darwinism, Which groups were affec...

Which groups were affected by discriminatory practices based on social Darwinism?

What effect did scientific revolution have on enlightenment, What effect di...

What effect did the Scientific Revolution have on the Enlightenment? Answer a)European intellectuals applied the new worldviews to challenge the authority of the Church. b

Olympic games and fifa soccer, What were the similarities and differences b...

What were the similarities and differences between the Olympic games and FIFA soccer? Which one is more important than the other?

What was the most important battle of the civil war, What was the most impo...

What was the most important battle of the Civil War? What are some sources that back up this opinion? How can I corroborate my argument?

Battle of waterloo in 1815, Having read John Keegan's analysis of both the ...

Having read John Keegan's analysis of both the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and The Somme in 1916 analyze both the social and military aspects of these battles. outline and compare t

History of christianity, Discuss the early history of Christianity and elab...

Discuss the early history of Christianity and elaborate on the significance of its early leaders and ideas. (short answers)

Highly orthodox puritan ideas, Eighteenth century Enlightenment thought a. ...

Eighteenth century Enlightenment thought a. emphasized the importance of religious faith b. rejected most religious thought c. had little influence on American intellectual thought

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