Location
Tacoma, Washington
Event Website
http://webspace.pugetsound.edu/facultypages/atubert/ConferenceSchedule2016.htm
Start Date
13-2-2016 10:00 AM
End Date
13-2-2016 10:50 AM
Description
Isaiah Berlin’s “Two Concepts of Liberty” introduced the terminology of negative and positive liberty in 1958. Berlin asserts that Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s political philosophy (particularly “On the Social Contract’) exemplifies the dangerous notion of positive liberty. I argue that Berlin’s presentation distorts Rousseau’s work and overlooks resources that exculpate Rousseau with regard to despotic regimes. Berlin’s interpretation and portrayal of Rousseau are examined.
Berlin’s claims are examined mainly in light of Rousseau’s “Third Discourse” (The Discourse on Political Economy), as opposed to Berlin’s emphasis on “The Social Contract”. This work contains Rousseau’s normative commentary on the principles of good government. The adequacy of Berlin’s positive/negative liberty framework is tested with respect to Rousseau’s own claims.
Rights
Type
event
Included in
Why Would Berlin Mischaracterize Rousseau?
Tacoma, Washington
Isaiah Berlin’s “Two Concepts of Liberty” introduced the terminology of negative and positive liberty in 1958. Berlin asserts that Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s political philosophy (particularly “On the Social Contract’) exemplifies the dangerous notion of positive liberty. I argue that Berlin’s presentation distorts Rousseau’s work and overlooks resources that exculpate Rousseau with regard to despotic regimes. Berlin’s interpretation and portrayal of Rousseau are examined.
Berlin’s claims are examined mainly in light of Rousseau’s “Third Discourse” (The Discourse on Political Economy), as opposed to Berlin’s emphasis on “The Social Contract”. This work contains Rousseau’s normative commentary on the principles of good government. The adequacy of Berlin’s positive/negative liberty framework is tested with respect to Rousseau’s own claims.
https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/psupc/psupc2016/Saturday/4