View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Rousseau say sciences does not improve?

2. What does the pursuit of art and science not teach citizens?

3. What does Rousseau argue about the the society in which he was living in the First Discourse?

4. When did Rousseau die?

5. What does Rousseau say might result only in ignorance?

Short Essay Questions

1. What paradox does Rousseau discuss in Chapter 1?

2. What are the two laws of nature and natural right?

3. What does Rousseau believe about the growing size of society?

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

5. According to the Introduction, what does the First Discourse seek to prove?

6. What does Rousseau believe contradicts one another?

7. What does the Second Discourse focus on?

8. What does Rousseau state has fallen apart in Chapter 1?

9. What does Rousseau state about artists?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In an essay, discuss what Rousseau thinks about natural right in relation to natural law, giving examples from the text to support your conclusions. Use the text to support your statements.

Essay Topic 3

Rousseau introduces amour propre as self-preservation or acute awareness of oneself. Discuss and analyze Rousseau's discussion of amour propre in an essay and use the text to support your analysis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 557 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample