Rousseau - Uno vale uno?

Published in 1651, 'Leviathan' by Thomas Hobbes is a comprehensive treatise on political philosophy. The book is divided into four main parts: 'Of Man,' 'Of Commonwealth,' 'Of a Christian Commonwealth,' and 'Of the Kingdom of Darkness. ' Hobbes argues that the natural state of humans is one of conflict and anarchy, and that the best way to achieve peace and security is through the establishment of a commonwealth governed by an absolute sovereign. This sovereign, which Hobbes terms the 'Leviathan,' has supreme authority over all aspects of governance, including law, religion, and public offices. Hobbes' work is a foundational text in social contract theory and continues to influence political thought to this day.

Written in 1750, this work was Rousseau's response to a question posed by the Academy of Dijon: whether the restoration of the sciences and the arts had contributed to refining moral practices. Rousseau argues that these advancements have led to the corruption of society, labeling them as 'ornamenti superflui' that mask true unhappiness. He criticizes the sciences for their origins in vices and their role in creating social inequalities, and he contrasts the natural, uncorrupted state of man with the corrupting influence of civilization and culture.

Written in a form that combines a novel with a didactic essay, 'Émile ou De l’éducation' follows the life and education of a fictional character, Émile, from birth to adulthood. Rousseau proposes a system of education that emphasizes natural development, away from the corrupting influences of society. The book is divided into five parts, each corresponding to a different stage of human development. It addresses topics such as physical and emotional development, the importance of practical experiences over book learning, and the introduction to complex human emotions and socialization during adolescence. Rousseau's aim is to show how this natural education can enable Émile to become a social, moral, and rational individual while remaining true to his original nature.

L'opera è composta da due trattati. Il primo trattato confuta i principi dell'assolutismo contenuti nel 'Patriarca' di Robert Filmer, mentre il secondo trattato espone la teoria di Locke sullo Stato. Locke argomenta a favore della divisione dei poteri, del diritto di resistenza del popolo contro i governanti, e della proprietà privata come diritto naturale. L'opera giustifica la Gloriosa Rivoluzione e ha influenzato significativamente le rivoluzioni borghesi e le dichiarazioni dei diritti dell'uomo in America e in Francia.

Pubblicato nel 1762, 'Il contratto sociale' di Rousseau esplora il concetto di libertà e giustizia nella società, proponendo un modello di governo in cui la vera sovranità risiede nelle mani dei cittadini. L'opera sostiene che gli individui si uniscono in un 'contratto sociale' per creare una comunità politica che rispetti gli interessi collettivi, promuovendo l'uguaglianza e la libertà. Il pensiero di Rousseau ha avuto un impatto profondo sulla teoria politica e ha ispirato movimenti rivoluzionari, tra cui la Rivoluzione francese e la Costituzione degli Stati Uniti d'America.

In this work, Rousseau argues that inequality does not originate in the state of nature but rather emerges with the formation of society. He distinguishes between natural inequality, which is based on physical and health differences, and moral or political inequality, which is established by human conventions. Rousseau critiques the institution of private property and the subsequent development of laws and governments, which he believes have led to the exploitation of the poor by the rich. He advocates for the creation of a just civil society that corrects the moral and material damages caused by inequality, a theme further developed in his 'Contratto sociale'.