POLITICAL THEORY – Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Produced in collaboration with Mike Booth

[OckertvdW]

Interesting how Hobbes and Rousseau had opposite understandings of the primordial state of nature.

[jamesobrien]

I appreciate these videos as a self- teaching philosophy student. The internet should be used for self improvement, healthy communication, and for gaining knowledge. It is awesome to read about these philosophers and supplement learning with these videos.

[LisaAbigail]

Writes a book about how to raise children, gives away his own 5 children from birth

[stevemartin]

I wonder if he put "leave your five kids in an orphanage to die" in his book.

[ssamjoyce]

pov: your teacher is making you watch this for class

[MsOudlover]

I wanted to show this video to my students regarding the General Will... and much to my surprise, it isn't mentioned. The rise of the General Will is really the turning point from Early Modern Europe to Modern Europe. It is essential to understanding the French Revolution. Why categorize this video under political theory and not include "the General Will?" Thank you for excellent videos, I return to you with increasing frequency.

[akirubamiru]

I am quiet dispointed as you didn't mentioned the social contract one of his major concept!!

[bolivar]

One thing people always wonder about Rousseau is how come he wrote the most successful book on education, but abandoned his own children to an orphanage. I am also horrified by this, but I don't think it is that surprising.
There are many thinkers who didn't or couldn't live up to the great ideas they brought to the world. Indeed those who "embodied" the wisdom they did spread are a real small minority. I don't mean  this as an excuse, but it is like the case of a brilliant composer who can create the most beautiful piece of music, but who himself does not have the virtuosity to play it. ( He should have practised more! )
That gap between their work and their life certainly says something about them as a person, but it doesn't lessen the value of their work.
May be the following quote by Nietzsche explains it better:

“Some cannot loosen their own chains and can nonetheless redeem their friends.”

Thank you very much for this great lesson as always!

[DavidHolcomb]

This is one of the best video series on the web and I'm thankful for you existing.

[lv]

It’s a shame Rousseau was not accurately introduced to the lives of the American Indians. Had he seen the incredible cruelty and vicious nature of tribes like the Comanche he would’ve realized this warlike attitude predated Europeans by centuries and was well-established behavior among tribes long before they had been “corrupted “ as he imagined.

[smakojacko]

Very interesting that he himself had five children who were given up for adoption from birth and yet he knew how raise children the best and understand them exceptionally. Currently reading second discourse and very much enjoying it. Cool video

[Eunos_FDS]

I keep playing these videos over and over again and listen to em as I work.  It's an attempt to burn the knowledge into my brain but I just can't seem to remember as much as I want..

[manifold.curiosity]

'The most useful and least developed of all the sciences seems to be that of man.'
- Rousseau, Discourse on Inequality

What I love most about Rousseau is how concerned he is with understanding human nature. The guy is some kind of philosophical anthropologist, with a keen grasp of political science and lots of good old romanticism to share too. Whilst so many look to the future to augur what our path ought to be, he delved into a shadowy prehistory and came up with some brilliant concepts. Definitely one of my favourite philosophers; I highly recommend you investigate him further if you haven't.

[ernststravoblofeld]

Thanks! I've been waiting for this one. I've always liked Rousseau in general, more than any particular point he made. He's just so human. Reveries of a Solitary Walker is one of my favorite chill out books.

[andrabarcan]

I had no idea that in the 18th century, the aristocracy and maybe the middle class were so distanced from "warmth" in their lifestyle (I had no idea that it was common for rich moms not to breastfeed their babies)! His ideas were great, because it is true that technology and urban life can distract people from the simple beauty of life.

[joep.]

I often feel that these political theorist's, philosophers, and artists are just projecting their deepest insecurities as humans when they create their work. It's as though culture and art are just biological defense mechanisms for cooping with our harsh foreboding reality.

[marcin]

I can see that here is an overview of Rousseau's work. Personally Rousseau's work on Political Philosophy, state of nature and so on is most fascinating. Overall, he seems to be one very clever thinker in his times; after all he opposed the enlightenment era thinking, that we are progressing. I like that he acknowledged that.

[TomHasVideo]

I am deeply satisfied with this video, thanks SoL.

[AnotherGradus]

_Emile_ "the most successful book ever written about how to raise children" features such gems:
- First 15 years of life the child must be isolated from all social forces & other children. 
- The child's only link to the outside world is their "Master"/teacher. _Robison Crusoe_ is the only appropriate book-- ever.
- The Master manipulates all of Emile's decisions to make it seem like he's freely choosing the "right" decisions-- every bit of education must be so controlled. It's a full-time devotion from the abnormally brilliant and scheming Master.

Seems like a great plan if you want to start a cult, raise a kid in a Skinner box, or start your own dystopia!

[nonyadamnbusiness]

"If I had two bullets and was confronted with Rousseau, Marx, and Lenin; I'd shoot Rousseau twice" - Origin Unknown