SOC SCI H1F Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Egocentrism
7 Feb 2019
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Document Summary
Rousseau is arguing that, to understand what kind of society will work best for human beings, we must look at the state of nature. Rousseau carries us through phases of the state of nature. Phase 1 = happy savage, no reason, driven by: compassion/pity and self- preservation. Phase 2 = emerging society *best for rousseau* Rousseau comes back to moderation; middle position. Regards this phase as best for mankind, but breaks down. Applying themselves to things that do not require multiple people will not break it down, but when another person had to start helping another, equality disappeared and labor became necessary. The creation of property is associated with deterioration in the state of nature, opposing locke"s idea that it is part of the state of nature. Division of land from ag generates property. Phase 3 = cooperation through ag and metallurgy. Brought self to the brink of ruin.
