Preliminary communication

The Problem of Property and Individualism

Maja Solar ; University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Philosophy, Novi Sad, Serbia

Abstract

Rousseau’s reflections on property are not unequivocal, there are manifold problems to which the philosophical thinking of property gives rise. The focus of this text is upon Rousseau’s conceptualization of property in conjunction with the problem of individualisation (primarily on the sentiment of amour-propre). The aim is to point out a complex account of how amour-propre has to be configured and for that purpose this text relies foremost on Neuhouser interpretation. I put my stress on the Second Discourse in order to envisage how Rousseau thinks the property relations in dialectics of appropriation and expropriation. Crucial role in the interpretation has a concept of fiction, particularly in the context of the representation of the state of nature. I also illuminate those aspects of the liberal legacy of property relations (drawing on Locke) which may be of great relevance to completely different approach. While Lockean idea of one who has a property in his own person establishes theory of possessive individualism, Rousseau provides different interpretations of radical thought.

Keywords

Jean-Jacques Rousseau; John Locke; concept of property; individualism; amour-propre; common property; dialectics of appropriation and expropriation

Hrčak ID:

132990

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/132990

Publication date:

26.11.2014.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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