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Single Idea 19849

[from 'The Social Contract (tr Cress)' by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 10. Theocracy ]

Full Idea

At first men had no other kings but gods, and no other government than a theocratic one. ....By the mere fact that a god was placed at the head of every political society, it followed that there were as many gods as there were peoples.

Gist of Idea

In early theocracies the god was the king, and there were as many gods as nations

Source

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract (tr Cress) [1762], IV.8)

Book Reference

Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Basic Political Writings', ed/tr. Cress,Donald A. [Hackett 1987], p.220


A Reaction

He must be thinking of the Old Testament histories here. (see Spinoza on that!). He says that the modern idea that these were all really the same god is ridiculous.