Rousseau

1) Part of Rousseau’s effort in the second Discourse is to describe the psychological impact had by society on our natural sentiments. Write a short essay on this, focusing in particular on Rousseau’s account of our two natural psychic properties, his understanding of “perfectibility,” and the distinction between amour-propre and an instinct for self-preservation. Finally, how does the following demonstrate his positioning of reason as something wholly instrumental: “Instead of the sublime maxim of reasoned justice, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, pity inspires all men with another maxim of natural goodness, much less perfect but perhaps more useful than the preceding one: Do what is good for you with as little harm as possible to others” (64) (10 points) 2) Write a short essay recounting Rousseau’s account of “natural man” or, as he’s later known for it, the “noble savage.” In your answer you will want to consider what he has to say about the reliability of traveler’s report even as he (and you) will rely on them in order to pursue this enquiry. (10 points) 3) What is the difference between “natural man” and the modern human being with regard to the issue of freedom, the supposed conveniences afforded by contemporary society, and the true nature of the effects of labour, war, medicine, food, etc. on us? (10 points)