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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. What does not arise when men become dependent on one another?

2. What should be equal if talents are equal according to Rousseau?

3. What can magistrates easily usurp according to Rousseau?

4. What is the first language of man according to Rousseau?

5. What follows the heels of metallurgy and agriculture?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rousseau argue about humanity at the end of Chapter 3?

2. What does Rousseau have high hopes for?

3. What does nature give man?

4. What are the two conclusions about inequality that Rousseau traces at the end of Chapter 5?

5. What does Rousseau begin by supposing in Chapter 4?

6. What does Rousseau seek to uncover according to Chapter 3?

7. What are the two types of inequality among humans presented by Rousseau in Chapter 4?

8. What does natural inequality produce, according to Rousseau?

9. What happens as men acquire more?

10. What happens as family grows?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In an essay, discuss Rousseau's definition of a "savage man" and outline the attributes of a savage. Use the text to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

Rousseau's philosophical work, the First and Second Discourses, discusses Rousseau's views about nature verses society. In an essay, discuss how the two conflict based on the text.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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