4.5. Better than Locke

Locke is a renowned philosopher, but there are aspects where others might be considered better.

For instance, some modern thinkers have built upon Locke's ideas and refined them. They have incorporated new knowledge from various fields such as psychology and neuroscience.

This has led to a more comprehensive understanding of human nature and the mind.

Moreover, these contemporary philosophers have addressed issues that Locke may not have anticipated in his time.

They have explored topics like the impact of technology on society and the role of culture in shaping our beliefs and values.

In this way, they have expanded the scope of philosophical inquiry and offered fresh perspectives that can be seen as an improvement over Locke's original ideas.

While Locke's contributions are significant, it is important to recognize that the field of philosophy is constantly evolving, and there are those who have taken his work to new heights.

Political philosophy is a fascinating and intellectually stimulating field that explores the fundamental questions about the nature of government, power, justice, and the ideal society.

It delves into the theories and ideas that have shaped political systems throughout history and continues to influence contemporary political thought.

Studying political philosophy can be a great source of fun as it allows us to engage in deep discussions and debates about the meaning and purpose of politics.

It challenges our assumptions and forces us to think critically about the values and principles that underpin our society.

A great society is one that is based on the principles of justice, equality, and freedom, and political philosophy provides us with the tools and concepts to analyze and evaluate the existing social and political order.

By engaging with political philosophy, we can contribute to the ongoing dialogue about how to create a more just, democratic, and prosperous society for all.

Whether we are interested in politics, law, or social sciences, political philosophy offers a rich and rewarding area of study that can help us to better understand the world around us and our place in it.

So, let's embrace the fun and excitement of political philosophy and work towards building a great society!

"Man was born free, and everywhere he is in chains. Many a one believes himself the master of others, and yet he is a greater slave than they." This profound statement by Rousseau highlights the irony and contradiction in human society. We are born with the gift of freedom, but somehow, we end up bound by various chains.

"Incessantly we obey rituals, never our own intuition. We no longer dare to appear as we really are, and under this perpetual restraint, people who form the herd known as society, finding themselves in these same circumstances, will all behave in exactly the same ways, unless more powerful motives prevent them from doing so." This passage further elaborates on how we conform to social norms and lose our individuality. We blindly follow rituals and traditions, suppressing our true selves and intuitions. As a result, we become part of a homogeneous herd, all acting and thinking alike.

We need to break free from these chains and rediscover our true selves. We should have the courage to follow our intuitions and express our individuality. Only then can we truly experience freedom and live a fulfilling life.

**Title: Rousseau's Ideas and Their Relevance to the Trump Era**

"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains." This profound statement by Jean Jacques Rousseau sets the tone for a thought-provoking exploration. Rousseau also emphasized the importance of liberty, stating that to renounce it is to renounce one's status as a man, rights, and duties. He further noted that liberty isn't within the reach of every people as it isn't a fruit of every climate.

On Inauguration Day in 2017, the author felt a connection to Rousseau's book and predicted they'd return to it often. As the author read, three significant questions emerged. How legitimate is Trump's electoral victory and where does his authority come from? How can his nationalism avoid morphing into fascism and what are the real risks? And how will civil liberties be guaranteed in the Trump era?

Rousseau's work offers a good historical analysis of the foundations and legitimacy of political power. It discusses various power structures like democracy and monarchy and their limits. While approaching the individual rights of citizens, voting stands out as a crucial one. The will of the people through voting can check the legitimacy of any government at any time. It's suggested that democracy isn't the best form of government for all nations as each should choose what suits them best.

Interestingly, an article titled "HOW ROUSSEAU PREDICTED TRUMP" by Pankaj Mishra in The New Yorker argues that Rousseau's attack on cosmopolitan élites now seems prophetic. Eight months into Trump's presidency, on the question of civil rights, there is criticism. The UN boss for Human Rights, mister Zeid, is voicing concerns about Trump's actions on various subjects like freedom of the press, women, Mexicans, Muslims, immigration, and the pardoning of Arpaio. All these issues have consequences, as seen in the Reuters article "Trump attacking freedom of the press: U.N. rights boss."

An excellent book indeed!

It is not only well written but also serves as a powerful indictment on western civilization.

Although some of the author's ideas struck me as rather Utopian, there are others that are highly relevant in today's world.

It is an undeniable fact that civilized man has become so distant from his or her natural state that a complete return seems almost impossible.

However, I believe that we can still aspire to those aspects of the natural state that are within our reach.

Perhaps by doing so, we can find a better balance between our civilized existence and the more primitive, instinctual side of ourselves.

This book challenges us to think deeply about our society and our place within it, and to consider whether there are ways in which we can improve and move forward in a more harmonious and sustainable way.

Overall, it is a thought-provoking and engaging read that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in the intersection of civilization, nature, and human nature.

I'm finally getting around to putting this in the "Read" category.

The "take-away" that firmly sticks in my mind is the complete implausibility of Rousseau's concept of the general will. The exact nature of such a will is hopelessly ambiguous. It comes as no surprise to me that such a concept assisted butchers like Robespierre in justifying the worst aspects of the French Revolution.

However, of course, the above is an indulgence in incomplete memory. Rousseau's Social Contract and Discourses are complex works of political philosophy that truly deserve far more in-depth study. I earnestly hope that one day I will be able to continue this exploration. The five stars I give are a tribute to both their complexity and his profound influence.

His ideas have had a lasting impact on the field of political thought, and despite the flaws in some of his concepts, they cannot be simply dismissed. Understanding Rousseau's works requires a careful and detailed examination, which I look forward to undertaking in the future.

I finally managed to slog my way through it. The reason for giving it 3 stars is that I firmly believe this could be simplified to make it a less dense read. However, I do understand how it was written and what the author intended.

It felt like a bit of a struggle to get through the text, as it seemed rather complex and perhaps could have been presented in a more straightforward manner. But despite that, I was able to grasp the overall meaning and the ideas that the author was trying to convey.

Maybe with some simplification and reorganization, this could have been an even better piece. But as it stands, it has its merits and I appreciate the effort that went into writing it.

Rosseau was indeed a remarkable writer. His works were filled with vivid descriptions and profound insights that had the power to engage and inspire readers.

However, when it comes to his ideas, one could argue that they were rather unorthodox or even wacko. Some of his concepts challenged the established norms and beliefs of his time, which led to both admiration and criticism.

For instance, his views on education and the role of the individual in society were quite radical. He believed in a more natural and free approach to learning, which was in contrast to the traditional methods of the era.

While his ideas may have seemed strange or extreme to some, they also had a significant impact on the development of modern thought. They forced people to question their assumptions and consider new ways of looking at the world.

In conclusion, although Rosseau's ideas may have been wacko in the eyes of some, his contributions as a writer and thinker cannot be ignored. His works continue to be studied and debated today, making him an important figure in the history of literature and philosophy.

Rousseau, in a sense, was the pioneer of bleeding heart liberalism. His works, such as “The Social Contract” and “A Discourse on the Origins of Inequality,” sowed the seeds from which modern liberal thought still blossoms today. For instance, the modern liberal concept that there is little fairness in God's gifts but it is the State's duty to ensure equity despite these disparities is a result of Rousseau's efforts in these essays.

Moreover, despite being written centuries ago, this work contains political insights that anticipate the challenges democracy still faces today. Rousseau grappled with the issue that the deliberations of the people in all democracies are not always accurate. He posited that although the people, as the true sovereign, can never be corrupted, they can be “deceived.”

Although Rousseau appears to be a liberal on the surface, a deeper examination of his work may uncover unexpected links to the modern radical Right. His ideas about a nation's self-sufficiency and its connection to liberty could, interestingly, be used to justify Trump-style tariffs. He hypothesized that “the larger the State the less the liberty.”

However, he also expressed concerns about political decision-making being “regulated far more by the depth of purses than by the number of votes.” He, like Michael Sandel, worried about how “personal services are replaced by money payments” and lauded a constitution that compelled the people to engage with public affairs in their private lives.

In conclusion, Rousseau was indeed the original bleeding heart liberal, but his work embodies the idea that good policy is more complex than simply being “liberal” or “conservative.” Both liberals and conservatives can learn from reading “The Social Contract” and Rousseau's other discourses. Liberals may finally understand the motives behind the modern Right, and vice versa. This is definitely worthy of four stars. I refrain from giving five because many of Rousseau's arguments are not fully developed. While he had the advantage of being the first to successfully argue many of these points, his arguments are not the most compelling.

sosc reading :(
any other uchicago ppl here??

sosc reading: (
Is there anyone else from the University of Chicago here? I'm currently engaged in some sosc reading and it's quite challenging. I was wondering if there are other students from uchicago who might be going through the same thing or who could offer some insights or tips. It would be great to have a discussion with like-minded individuals and share our experiences. Maybe we could even form a study group or something. I'm really hoping to find some others who are also passionate about sosc and are willing to engage in some meaningful conversations.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau employs persuasive logic, exact definitions, and categorizations to demonstrate that what he terms the "social contract" determines the legitimacy of a government. He also explores the challenges that legitimate governments face and how they evolve.

The work is divided into four "books." Book 1 focuses on proving the existence of legitimacy. Rousseau begins with the famous statement that "Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains." He challenges the idea of the divine right of kings and argues that man is born free, using the example of the family. Slavery is against nature, and the "right of the strongest" philosophy is not a legitimate form of government. Freedom and security are the reasons why governed societies are necessary. In a governed society, deeds are legally guaranteed, and economies are created to assist and enrich everyone. However, the concept of freedom in a governed society poses a problem. Rousseau provides the formula for a legitimate government: each person puts his person and all his power in common under the supreme direction of the general will, and in our corporate capacity, we receive each member as an indivisible part of the whole.

Book 2 delves into the social compact in action and how such societies originate. Rousseau emphasizes the importance of the general will and equality. He acknowledges that the people may not always know what is best for them and directs readers to the divine, a mysterious legislature, and different forms of government as means to initiate a legitimate government. The general will must be balanced with the particular wills of individuals. Laws are the conditions of civil association, and a legislature is needed to create them. The legislature must be separate from the sovereign to avoid tyranny.

In conclusion, Rousseau's "The Social Contract" presents a thought-provoking analysis of the nature of government and the importance of the social contract. His ideas have had a significant impact on political philosophy and continue to be relevant today.

It is interesting to note that the author's experience of reading the book on a date and then later re-reading it after the "Wuhan Flu" hit adds a personal touch to the review.

Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of Rousseau's work and its significance.

"Revolution", the manual - essential reading for anyone interested in the late eighteenth century.

This remarkable book offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the revolutionary era. It delves into the political, social, and economic upheavals that took place during this time.

Readers will gain a profound understanding of the forces that led to the revolutions, the key figures involved, and the far-reaching consequences that ensued.

The manual presents a detailed analysis of the major events, such as the American Revolution and the French Revolution, providing valuable insights into the complex issues and ideas that shaped these momentous events.

With its engaging writing style and wealth of information, "Revolution" is not only a must-read for history enthusiasts but also for anyone seeking to understand the roots of modern society.

Whether you are a student, a researcher, or simply someone with a curious mind, this manual will surely captivate you and expand your knowledge of this crucial period in history.