Introduction to Rousseau, his State of Nature and the Noble Savage

Hello,

Join us for an engaging introduction to Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s philosophy, focusing on his concept of the state of nature and the noble savage, as presented in Robert Wokler’s Rousseau: A Very Short Introduction. We’ll explore Rousseau’s views on human nature, society’s corrupting influence, and the origins of inequality. The discussion will delve into how his ideas challenge modern understandings of civilization, freedom, and human progress.

Preparation / Reading
In order to participate please prepare by reading or watching at least one of the following:

• Beginner Video - Introduction to Rousseau: The Social Contract (~8 minutes)
• Intermediate Reading 1 - Chapter 1 (pages 1-22)
• Intermediate Reading 2 - Chapter 2 (excerpt, pages 44-54)

I (Ryan) will be doing all three but will draw mainly from the readings to facilitate the conversation and I will collaborate with others who have also done the advanced reading to offer interpretations.

Location:
Meet us at the Interfaith Chapel on campus. Please RSVP on Meetup to receive more detailed directions.

Parking:
Parking is available on Wilson Blvd, near our venue. A general guide on visitor parking can be found here. A map of some parking is here. The red spaces (reserved) are reserved at all times. The other spaces, I believe, are available to visitors on the weekend, no pass needed. I (Ryan) typically park on Wilson Blvd, which also has no fee on weekends.

Event Details:
This event is welcoming to all. For more details about our group and meeting format, please check out the FAQ.

Questions or Feedback?
If you have any questions or wish to provide feedback, feel free to reach out to us on Meetup.

Future Readings:
We are eager to hear your feedback on what we should read in upcoming weeks. We aim to be flexible to cater to the interests of our members. If you would like to suggest a reading for an upcoming week, please send us a message or feel free to comment in our spreadsheet.
We look forward to exploring these texts with you.

Best Regards,
Ryan