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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Rousseau reject the notion of natural law?

2. What fell apart according to Rousseau?

3. What question does Rousseau try to answer about society?

4. What does Rousseau say is the reason for the increase he saw in France?

5. Why do men separate themselves according to Rousseau?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rousseau argue about his society according to the Introduction?

2. What examples does Rousseau offer in his demonstration of how progress produced corruption?

3. What does Rousseau believe about time?

4. What alarming consequences does science have, according to Chapter 2?

5. What does the Second Discourse focus on?

6. How does Rousseau explain the nature of man in relation to art?

7. What does the First Discourse argue?

8. What claim about civilization is made at the start of Chapter 2?

9. What paradox does Rousseau discuss in Chapter 1?

10. What is at the heart of Rousseau's philosophy, according to the Introduction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the idea of perfection, also identified as man's ability to improve himself and the role of the environment. Discuss Rousseau's examination of perfectibility and adaptation by using the text to support your statements.

Essay Topic 2

In an essay, discuss Rousseau's belief regarding private property and how it leads to social and economic inequality. Students should discuss how Rousseau's theory, if true, may lead to competition or rivalry. Students may choose to disagree with Rousseau in the essay and must support their argument for or against Rousseau's theory.

Essay Topic 3

In an essay, discuss Rousseau's conclusions about despotism as discussed in Chapter 5 of the First and Second Discourses. Students should define the term despotism and use the text and secondary sources to support their analysis of despotism.

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