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... Kirkman
Essay 2
On Slavery
Slavery. ... Each time our philosophy class delves into the psyche of yet another renowned philosopher, I am a tinge more curios and cautious to learn about the philosopher’s philosophy on slavery. Despite the fact that the institution of slavery was allegedly demolished in America over a century ago, I recognize the cultural and social detriments that slavery has on blacks, which are unfortunately prevalent today. ... (Morgan 716) On a smaller spectrum, I found Rousseau’s theories on slavery to be quite arguable. ...
Rousseau begins the passage on slavery as follows “Since no man has a natural authority over his fellow man, and since force does not give rise to any right, conventions therefore remain the basis of all legitimate authority among men. ... Rousseau states in the passage prior to the one on slavery, on the right of
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the strongest, that “Force is a physical power; I fail to see what morality can result from its effects. ... This is a form of slavery.
Slavery is America’s biggest embarrassment as a nation. ... The real tragedy is the duration and desired systematic continuance of slavery. ... (Rousseau 774)
Although known institutions of slavery existed when Rousseau wrote this passage, his belief in the purity of nature and self-preservation disabled him from contemplating and/ or accepting that someone could never be in the state of nature, even though they, a child, had no significant capacity for reason.
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The institution of slavery is justified by war as told by Grotius, whose points Rousseau sometimes uses as the basis for his argument on slavery. ... Once again assuming that Rousseau’s state of nature is the standard, where there is no “constant property”, the war is nullified, and the subsequent right to slavery is nonexistent.
Approximate Word count = 1351
Approximate Pages = 5.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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