The World's Best Book Summaries
Does free will exist? Do you believe that your behavior is the manifestation of fate or free will? Most people believe their behavior and decisions stem from their conscious choice. The idea of free will is an attractive one, but some scientists maintain that it is an illusion. Here’s why free does not exist, according to Behave author Robert Sapolsky.
What does “soul” mean? Is it distinct from the body? Are there individual souls and group souls? Inspired by Eastern mystical traditions, Gary Zukav argues that a soul is part of the divine consciousness. He distinguishes the soul from the body and provides his explanation for how the soul and body interact and why. He also discusses what he believes are the differences between human souls and the souls of other material things. Keep reading for this view of what “soul” means.
What is the purpose of the soul? Why does it manifest in our bodies? In The Seat of the Soul, Gary Zukav argues that the soul’s main purpose is to evolve. It does this by learning, healing, and balancing. It might take several bodily manifestations for a soul to complete its purpose. Read more for Zukav’s discussion of the soul’s journey.
Once a government establishes authority, how does it keep it? How does it continue to govern? In The Social Contract, Jean-Jacques Rousseau argues that the division of power in a government eventually goes out of balance, making the state vulnerable to collapse. However, a government can maintain its legitimacy by establishing certain systems: public assemblies, public unity, and supreme powers. Keep reading for Rousseau’s view on the preservation of political legitimacy.
What are the two branches of government discussed in Rousseau’s The Social Contract? What are their different roles? In The Social Contract, Jean-Jacques Rousseau explains that a government is needed to run the day-to-day operations of a state. He divides government into two branches: legislative and executive. Here’s his discussion of the difference between the legislative and executive branches of government.
What’s Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s social contract theory? How is it different from the social contract theories of other philosophers? Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s theory of the social contract is similar to theories used by other enlightenment scholars such as Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan) and John Locke (Two Treatises of Government). However, there are a few major differences that determine each philosopher’s conclusion as to what makes a state legitimate. Keep reading to learn about Rousseau’s social contract theory and how it’s different.
How should we understand the “state of nature” in the context of political philosophy? What was Rousseau’s view on the subject? In a state of nature, people live according to the laws of human nature, especially the law of self-preservation. In his classic work The Social Contract, Jean-Jacques Rousseau discusses the state of nature in the context of society and the state. Read more to understand Rousseau on the state of nature.
Can there be a legitimate society? If so, what would it look like? These are the questions that Jean-Jacques Rousseau attempts to answer in The Social Contract. In this classic work, the 18th-century Swiss philosopher discusses political legitimacy, or the ethical right to exercise political authority by creating and enforcing laws. Continue reading for a brief overview of The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Can humans live forever? And if so, should we? What are the wider implications of human immortality? Living forever is an attractive yet controversial idea. There are a number of ethical implications concerning immortality. Some of the chief concerns include overpopulation, economic inequality, and stagnation of scientific and social progress. Biologist David Sinclair addresses these concerns in his book Lifespan, coming to the conclusion that humanity has got what it takes to overcome them. Keep reading to learn about the implications of human immortality, according to David Sinclair.
What are John Rawls’ principles of justice? How does his theory exercise fairness and give people free agency? The Rawlsian justice theory is described in Development as Freedom by Amartya Sen, who compares the relatively modern theory to utilitarianism and libertarianism. John Rawls’ theory proposes an emphasis on liberty to allow people to succeed or fail at their own will. Check out more on the pros and cons of Rawls’ principles of justice.