Heinrich Meier
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780226074030
- eISBN:
- 9780226074177
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226074177.003.0002
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This chapter examines the theme of faith in Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire, which have as their subject the philosophic life, shown in motion by the individual promenades. Jean-Jacques Rousseau ...
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This chapter examines the theme of faith in Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire, which have as their subject the philosophic life, shown in motion by the individual promenades. Jean-Jacques Rousseau sets to work on a “great review,” from which he exempts nothing, which is a matter of life and death. Its central object is faith: the duties and expectations of morality, the commandments and hopes of religion. Rousseau also speaks of the “grande revue” and the “grande révolution,” in which he points to the deep break that is tantamount to the beginning of the philosophic life. He treats the beginning of the philosophic life in the promenade that makes the theme of his faith obvious for Everyman. The message for Everyman apparently is: Rousseau's happiness depends upon his faith, and his faith is essentially hope. This chapter shows that Rousseau outlines his happiness by invoking the self-suffiency of God.Less
This chapter examines the theme of faith in Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire, which have as their subject the philosophic life, shown in motion by the individual promenades. Jean-Jacques Rousseau sets to work on a “great review,” from which he exempts nothing, which is a matter of life and death. Its central object is faith: the duties and expectations of morality, the commandments and hopes of religion. Rousseau also speaks of the “grande revue” and the “grande révolution,” in which he points to the deep break that is tantamount to the beginning of the philosophic life. He treats the beginning of the philosophic life in the promenade that makes the theme of his faith obvious for Everyman. The message for Everyman apparently is: Rousseau's happiness depends upon his faith, and his faith is essentially hope. This chapter shows that Rousseau outlines his happiness by invoking the self-suffiency of God.
Heinrich Meier
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- September 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780226275857
- eISBN:
- 9780226275994
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226275994.003.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This introductory chapter discusses the concept of political philosophy in its fourfold determination: the subject matter of political philosophy; the political defense of the philosophic life; its ...
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This introductory chapter discusses the concept of political philosophy in its fourfold determination: the subject matter of political philosophy; the political defense of the philosophic life; its rational justification; and political philosophy as the locus of the philosopher's self-knowledge. The four moments are so intertwined with one another that they constitute an articulated and internally dynamic whole. For the sake of his self-knowledge, the philosopher must make the political things the object of his inquiry and observation. From the knowledge of the precarious political situation in which philosophy finds itself as a matter of principle results the twofold task of the political defense and the rational justification of the philosophic life—a task that, in turn, is in both branches suitable for promoting the self-knowledge of the philosopher. The self-knowledge of the philosopher thus proves to be the comprehensive determination that binds together the other three and orders them in relation to one another.Less
This introductory chapter discusses the concept of political philosophy in its fourfold determination: the subject matter of political philosophy; the political defense of the philosophic life; its rational justification; and political philosophy as the locus of the philosopher's self-knowledge. The four moments are so intertwined with one another that they constitute an articulated and internally dynamic whole. For the sake of his self-knowledge, the philosopher must make the political things the object of his inquiry and observation. From the knowledge of the precarious political situation in which philosophy finds itself as a matter of principle results the twofold task of the political defense and the rational justification of the philosophic life—a task that, in turn, is in both branches suitable for promoting the self-knowledge of the philosopher. The self-knowledge of the philosopher thus proves to be the comprehensive determination that binds together the other three and orders them in relation to one another.
Heinrich Meier
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780226074030
- eISBN:
- 9780226074177
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226074177.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This book presents the author's confrontation with Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire, the philosopher's most beautiful and daring work, as well as his last and least ...
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This book presents the author's confrontation with Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire, the philosopher's most beautiful and daring work, as well as his last and least understood. Bringing to bear more than thirty years of study of Rousseau, the book unfolds an original interpretation in two parts. The first part approaches the Rêveries not as another autobiographical text in the tradition of the Confessions and the Dialogues, but as a reflection on the philosophic life and the distinctive happiness it provides. The second turns to a detailed analysis of a work referred to in the Rêveries, the “Profession of Faith of the Savoyard Vicar,” which triggered Rousseau's political persecution when it was originally published as part of Émile. The examination of this most controversial of Rousseau's writings, which aims to lay the foundations for a successful non-philosophic life, brings to light the differences between Natural Religion as expressed by the Vicar and Rousseau's Natural Theology. Together, the two reciprocally illuminating parts of this study provide an indispensable guide to Rousseau and to the understanding of the nature of the philosophic life.Less
This book presents the author's confrontation with Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire, the philosopher's most beautiful and daring work, as well as his last and least understood. Bringing to bear more than thirty years of study of Rousseau, the book unfolds an original interpretation in two parts. The first part approaches the Rêveries not as another autobiographical text in the tradition of the Confessions and the Dialogues, but as a reflection on the philosophic life and the distinctive happiness it provides. The second turns to a detailed analysis of a work referred to in the Rêveries, the “Profession of Faith of the Savoyard Vicar,” which triggered Rousseau's political persecution when it was originally published as part of Émile. The examination of this most controversial of Rousseau's writings, which aims to lay the foundations for a successful non-philosophic life, brings to light the differences between Natural Religion as expressed by the Vicar and Rousseau's Natural Theology. Together, the two reciprocally illuminating parts of this study provide an indispensable guide to Rousseau and to the understanding of the nature of the philosophic life.
Heinrich Meier
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780226074030
- eISBN:
- 9780226074177
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226074177.003.0008
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This chapter examines Jean-Jacques Rousseau's confrontation with the question of the right life, with faith's demand for obedience and the promises of religion, in Profession de foi du Vicaire ...
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This chapter examines Jean-Jacques Rousseau's confrontation with the question of the right life, with faith's demand for obedience and the promises of religion, in Profession de foi du Vicaire Savoyard (Profession of Faith of the Savoyard Vicar). Profession de foi occupies a special place in Rousseau's œuvre. It found its permanent place in the fourth book of Émile, where it shows how an homme vulgaire can be instructed in matters of religion, in accord with reason, corresponding to his nature, and taking into account historical circumstances. This chapter considers the belief that the Vicar's profession of faith is the profession of faith of Rousseau, that Rousseau and the Vicar are of one mind, that both pursue essentially the same end. It also discusses the Vicar's views about truth, the right life, the philosophic life, God, Natural Religion, faith in revelation, and, revealed religions. It argues that the Natural Religion of the Vicar is fundamentally different from Rousseau's Natural Theology.Less
This chapter examines Jean-Jacques Rousseau's confrontation with the question of the right life, with faith's demand for obedience and the promises of religion, in Profession de foi du Vicaire Savoyard (Profession of Faith of the Savoyard Vicar). Profession de foi occupies a special place in Rousseau's œuvre. It found its permanent place in the fourth book of Émile, where it shows how an homme vulgaire can be instructed in matters of religion, in accord with reason, corresponding to his nature, and taking into account historical circumstances. This chapter considers the belief that the Vicar's profession of faith is the profession of faith of Rousseau, that Rousseau and the Vicar are of one mind, that both pursue essentially the same end. It also discusses the Vicar's views about truth, the right life, the philosophic life, God, Natural Religion, faith in revelation, and, revealed religions. It argues that the Natural Religion of the Vicar is fundamentally different from Rousseau's Natural Theology.
Heinrich Meier
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780226074030
- eISBN:
- 9780226074177
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226074177.003.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This chapter offers reflections on Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire. It examines the title, which combines all three types of titles that Rousseau has employed for books to ...
More
This chapter offers reflections on Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire. It examines the title, which combines all three types of titles that Rousseau has employed for books to that point: the naming of the subject, a literary figure or a topic; the genre; and an activity. It argues that the title highlights the tension that pervades the rhetoric of the entire book, and that Rousseau chooses the word rêveries to point to and to divert attention away from the activity central to the philosophic life. It also analyzes the connection between solitude and méditation and the appearance of nature in the book. Finally, it discusses Rousseau's conversations with “the Frenchman” in the Dialogues.Less
This chapter offers reflections on Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire. It examines the title, which combines all three types of titles that Rousseau has employed for books to that point: the naming of the subject, a literary figure or a topic; the genre; and an activity. It argues that the title highlights the tension that pervades the rhetoric of the entire book, and that Rousseau chooses the word rêveries to point to and to divert attention away from the activity central to the philosophic life. It also analyzes the connection between solitude and méditation and the appearance of nature in the book. Finally, it discusses Rousseau's conversations with “the Frenchman” in the Dialogues.
Heinrich Meier
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780226074030
- eISBN:
- 9780226074177
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226074177.003.0006
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This chapter examines the significance of love in Jean-Jacques Rousseau's reflection on his œuvre and the philosophic life as a whole. The philosophic life is supported by love of the truth, love of ...
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This chapter examines the significance of love in Jean-Jacques Rousseau's reflection on his œuvre and the philosophic life as a whole. The philosophic life is supported by love of the truth, love of knowledge, and love of learning. It is nourished by the loving turn to the world and presupposes a “loving soul,” which knows how to find its “inner delights” in contemplation. This chapter considers how Rousseau's being alone is related to his love, focusing on his presentation of himself at the outset of Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire as “the most sociable and most loving of humans.” It also explores whether Rousseau, who writes the Rêveries for himself as a future friend, is able to be a friend only to himself. It argues that the experience of Rousseau's capacity for love, the knowledge of his power, the consciousness of being able to say yes to life, was the basis for his inner independence and his confidence in himself.Less
This chapter examines the significance of love in Jean-Jacques Rousseau's reflection on his œuvre and the philosophic life as a whole. The philosophic life is supported by love of the truth, love of knowledge, and love of learning. It is nourished by the loving turn to the world and presupposes a “loving soul,” which knows how to find its “inner delights” in contemplation. This chapter considers how Rousseau's being alone is related to his love, focusing on his presentation of himself at the outset of Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire as “the most sociable and most loving of humans.” It also explores whether Rousseau, who writes the Rêveries for himself as a future friend, is able to be a friend only to himself. It argues that the experience of Rousseau's capacity for love, the knowledge of his power, the consciousness of being able to say yes to life, was the basis for his inner independence and his confidence in himself.
Heinrich Meier
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780226074030
- eISBN:
- 9780226074177
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226074177.003.0007
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This chapter examines the relationship between Jean-Jacques Rousseau's self-knowledge and Beisichselbstsein. Rousseau's Beisichselbstsein is mediated by the confrontation with faith, by the knowledge ...
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This chapter examines the relationship between Jean-Jacques Rousseau's self-knowledge and Beisichselbstsein. Rousseau's Beisichselbstsein is mediated by the confrontation with faith, by the knowledge of politics, by the contemplation of nature, by the experience of love. Rousseau made politics and faith, nature and love, into the great themes of his œuvre. They return in Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire as objects of his self-knowledge. This chapter considers Rousseau's investigation of the interplay between Beisichselbstsein and self-knowledge in the philosophic life using two promenades, the Première promenade and the Huitième promenade. It also analyzes the criticism to which Rousseau subjects his seeming happiness—that it was a state of losing oneself in the world of self-forgetfulness.Less
This chapter examines the relationship between Jean-Jacques Rousseau's self-knowledge and Beisichselbstsein. Rousseau's Beisichselbstsein is mediated by the confrontation with faith, by the knowledge of politics, by the contemplation of nature, by the experience of love. Rousseau made politics and faith, nature and love, into the great themes of his œuvre. They return in Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire as objects of his self-knowledge. This chapter considers Rousseau's investigation of the interplay between Beisichselbstsein and self-knowledge in the philosophic life using two promenades, the Première promenade and the Huitième promenade. It also analyzes the criticism to which Rousseau subjects his seeming happiness—that it was a state of losing oneself in the world of self-forgetfulness.
Heinrich Meier
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780226074030
- eISBN:
- 9780226074177
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226074177.003.0003
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This chapter examines Jean-Jacques Rousseau's treatment of nature in Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire, and how it becomes the standard support for the self-understanding and orientation of the ...
More
This chapter examines Jean-Jacques Rousseau's treatment of nature in Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire, and how it becomes the standard support for the self-understanding and orientation of the philosophic life. It shows that the first appearance of nature in the Rêveries is linked to the opening of the Deuxième promenade, at the place where Rousseau mentions solitude and méditation in a single breath. The chapter considers three important moments. First, in meditation, which comes into its own in solitude, Rousseau actualizes a particular capacity of his nature. Second, the unfolding of the activity that is extinguished only with the death of his soul allows Rousseau to be in harmony with his own nature. Third, when Rousseau is fully himself and realizes his particular nature, he accords with nature in general. This chapter also discusses Rousseau's criticism of the loss of self and loss of distance that contrasts with his praise for the observation of nature.Less
This chapter examines Jean-Jacques Rousseau's treatment of nature in Les rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire, and how it becomes the standard support for the self-understanding and orientation of the philosophic life. It shows that the first appearance of nature in the Rêveries is linked to the opening of the Deuxième promenade, at the place where Rousseau mentions solitude and méditation in a single breath. The chapter considers three important moments. First, in meditation, which comes into its own in solitude, Rousseau actualizes a particular capacity of his nature. Second, the unfolding of the activity that is extinguished only with the death of his soul allows Rousseau to be in harmony with his own nature. Third, when Rousseau is fully himself and realizes his particular nature, he accords with nature in general. This chapter also discusses Rousseau's criticism of the loss of self and loss of distance that contrasts with his praise for the observation of nature.
