back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 7242

[from 'The Social Contract (tr Cress)' by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in 25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 5. Freedom of lifestyle ]

Full Idea

To be governed by appetite alone is slavery, while obedience to a law one prescribes to oneself is freedom.

Gist of Idea

Appetite alone is slavery, and self-prescribed laws are freedom

Source

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

Book Reference

Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Social Contract', ed/tr. Cranston,Maurice [Penguin 1972], p.65


A Reaction

An interesting formulation, sitting somewhere between Aristotle and Kant. The problem is to find a metaethic which will justify the prescription and nature of the self-imposed law.