Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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Content

• Short biographie
• Theory of Natural Man
• The Social Contract
• Criticism on his Theory

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Short biographie

• 1712-1778
• Major philosopher
• Composer of the Enlightenment
• Influenced the French Revolution
• Made up political theories

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Theory of Natural Man

• Man is good when in state of nature
• ? freedom and equality, no rationality
• ? simple societies with these values
• Goods, property and culture corrupt him
• ? bad society

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The Social Contract

• Solution for the situation of mankind
• No political institutions
• volonte generale and volonte de tous
• ? no resistance allowed
• No religion needed

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Criticism on his Theory

• Existance of an unfailing general will?
• No protection of minorities
• Goods and property are no human inventions