Original scientific paper
Jean-Jacques Rousseau and environmental issues: In commemoration of the 300th anniversary of Rousseau’s birth
Rade Kalanj
; Filozofski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Abstract
This paper is written to mark the 300th anniversary of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s birth. Therefore, it first highlights the well-deserved attention given to this philosopher not only in France but in other modern cultural, academic and scientific contexts as well. The paper lists many achievements and publishing endeavors that actualize the importance of this thinker and offers new interpretations of some of his ideas. The main focus of the paper, however, is to look at Rousseau as a forerunner of modern environmental thought. It attempts to show the relevance of Rousseau’s work for modern ecology and some ways in which his attitudes can be incorporated. The paper warns against certain common vulgarizations of Rousseau’s work in particular those that emphasize his call for a “return to nature” and thus oversimplify Rousseau’s inspirational and sustainable ideas. This paper thus attempts to determine whether a theoretical and philosophical connection can be established between Rousseau’s idea of nature and the idea of nature found in radical or deep ecology. Rousseau is certainly one of the inspirational forces behind deep ecology, however, we must strive to better understand the permanence and constraints of this influence. In short, the paper advocates a new reading of Rousseau through environmental lenses.
Keywords
amour de soi; amour propre; social contract; deep ecology; culture; inequality; nature; return to nature; natural condition; enlightenment
Hrčak ID:
84012
URI
Publication date:
4.7.2012.
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