more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
A savage man could well lay hold of the fruit another has gathered, the cave that served as his shelter. But how will he ever succeed in making himself obeyed? What can be the chain of dependence among men who possess nothing?
Gist of Idea
A savage can steal fruit or a home, but there is no means of achieving obedience
Source
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Discourse on the Origin of Inequality [1754], Part I)
Book Ref
Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Basic Political Writings', ed/tr. Cress,Donald A. [Hackett 1987], p.58
A Reaction
You'd certainly need language to express an enduring threat, like excluding someone from all of the local caves. You need to be able to say 'I'll be back', which animals can't say. Huge muscular men must have dominated in some way.
| 8020 | Only self-knowledge can liberate us [Spinoza, by MacIntyre] |
| 19864 | In nature men can dispose of possessions and their persons in any way that is possible [Locke] |
| 20581 | If men are born free, are women born slaves? [Astell] |
| 19774 | A savage can steal fruit or a home, but there is no means of achieving obedience [Rousseau] |
| 7232 | Man is born free, and he is everywhere in chains [Rousseau] |
| 7234 | No man has any natural authority over his fellows [Rousseau] |
| 7212 | Individuals have sovereignty over their own bodies and minds [Mill] |
| 8022 | I am naturally free if I am not tied to anyone by a contract [MacIntyre] |