Rousseau+objections+to+Hobbes+essay

toc What are Rousseau’s objections to Hobbes’ ideas about the state of nature and the transition to a social state? Are these good objections? How would Hobbes respond to Rousseau? Who has the better argument?

=Instructions= =Resources= include page="Hobbes Bibliography" editable="true" include page="Rousseau Bibliography" editable="true"
 * Read the assigned chapters of Hobbes' //Leviathan// and Rousseau's //Discourse on Inequality//.
 * Do some research on the interpretations of these works. Remember, however, that this research is only supposed to help you understand their texts, not to substitute for reading them; and remember also that scholars differ in their interpretations.
 * Select a specific thesis: you are going to argue that Rousseau has a better argument about the state of nature than Hobbes, or vice-versa, or that both of their arguments are bad. Put the thesis in your introduction. Take a position and support it in the rest of the essay.
 * Describe briefly Rousseau's objections to Hobbes, with appropriate citations.
 * Using Hobbes' text, describe what possible responses he could make to Rousseau (as well as possible responses by Rousseau to Hobbes' points).
 * Critically assess their arguments. Are Hobbes or Rousseau's assumptions about human equality, rationality, and desires more accurate? Is there any evidence that conclusively disproves either of their views?
 * In your conclusion, you may consider whether accepting the views of Hobbes or Rousseau about the state of nature means accepting the political implications they draw from these views.