HIS 111

World Civilization II
Christy Moore
Lesson 4 Essay
2014

The Journal of Jean-Jacques Rosseau

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What an age to live in this 18 century is. There is so much that I find wrong with what is

currently happening in France. Sadly, it is not purely limited to this country. The other philosophes

don't understand why I prefer my own company to theirs. It limits the distractions. I am trying my best

to change the minds and the lives of the people in this world, so that they can truly be free! Free from

their bondage to commerce and materialism. They are bound by their prideful, selfish way of life. I

will not stop in my pursuit to change their way of thinking. My new book will soon be out, and I have

decided on the title. It shall be called Discourse on the Moral Effects of the Arts and Sciences and will

be published in 1750. We must develop a society that develops better people, or we are doomed.

My next piece has been published! It's been five years since my previous writings, but

Discourse of the Origin of Inequality is now available to the public. In this one I have discussed the

currently unnatural state of social living. How we live now is far removed from how early man lived

together. Mankind now only seems to care for how much he has! How big his house is, or how much

land he can claim in his name is all incorrect in how he should be living. What does it matter what our

place in this society is? This way of living is evil! It has corrupted the very goodness that mankind was

born into

It has been 12 years since Discourse was published. I have grown more and more into my own

personal political theory and practice. I feel my next book is my most important work to date. The

Social Contract outlines my political structure. It will serve to fix all the harmful political practices that
are currently taking place. The others put their emphasis on individual people, but I am adamant that

the whole of society is much more important than the mere individual man or woman. By ourselves we

cannot achieve much, but by becoming a part of the larger community we could do so much more for

this world. I'm trying to change the way of thinking that John Locke and his kind have taught. I have

been so inspired by the teachings of Plato and Calvin. The law was meant to be obeyed, and obedience

and compliance brings us freedom. The general will is always right. I am afraid some people may need

additional encouragement in following this.

Some believe that I am a radical. I have received backlash for The Social Contract. I expected

it. Adam Smith preaches prosperity and economic growth while I maintain that we build a moral

society. Deism has taught me that you can be a morally good person, and you do not need riches to

fulfill your sense of self-worth. I wish my contemporaries would realize that our society needs a moral

compass in which to follow. Individual wealth and selfish pursuits are the path to ruin.

My mind goes back to Sparta today. I was rereading Plato and the memories just came forth.

The Greeks had so many things right. They knew the benefits of living together for a common pursuit

and purpose. Our morality should be our wealth, not our land holdings, or social status. I believe that

even our religion, perhaps once based on deism, would additionally serve to unite us. One religion, one

shared belief, one community of virtuous people. I shall continue to study the ways of Pluto, and the

ancient Greek societies. There is much to be learned and retaught to others.

Age feels like it is catching up to me. 66 years have gone by already. I feel I have seen and

accomplished much. I still write and teach. I want the citizens to understand that their decisions and

good influence on our politics helps bind them into a virtuous community. I hope my written works will

continue to influence and change the minds of the people. The greater good is more important than the

individual.