Jean-Jacques Rousseau

human nature

all humans are naturally good and peaceful but are often corrupted by society

amour de soi (self-preservation)

a natural form of self-love tied to self-preservation

compassion of pity (pitie)

a natural aversion to seeing others suffer

the state of nature

pre-social and pre-political, people are free and equal, independent

source of corruption

introduction of private property and social comparison

civil society

an artificial structure that emerges after the establishment of property, where individuals become dependent on each other and face moral inequalities

legitimate dependence

based on mutual interdependence, individuals obey the general will

illegitimate dependence

based on inequality and leads to the loss of freedom

amour propre (social self-love)

a socially constructed form of self-love that depends on the opinions of others

primacy of passion

the idea that emotions and feelings should guide moral decisions, emphasizing the importance of subjective experience

suspicion of reason

the belief that human reason can lead to alienation and moral corruption, often critiquing purely rational thinking

basic passions

natural passions, self-preservation and compassion

natural virtue

the innate quality of goodness and moral character inherent in humans, guiding them towards empathy and altruistic behavior

social corruption

the process by which society undermines the natural goodness of individuals, leading to moral decline and societal decay

society as a blessing

a concept where the collective organization of individuals promotes shared values and cooperation, enhancing overall well-being and moral development

society as a curse

the idea that the complexities of social structures and institutions can lead to inequality, suffering, and the loss of individual freedom

sovereignty

the ultimate power rests with the people as a whole

law

the expression of the general will

legitimacy

the expression of the general will and serves the common good

government

an agent that enforces laws, cannot create or alter laws

democracy

the rule of the people

aristocracy

the rule of the few

monarchy

the rule of one

republic (preferred)

centers of popular sovereignty, power is delegated to representative

the general will

the collective will of the people

individual will

the personal desires, preferences, and interests of a single individual

the will of all

the sum of all individual wills in a society