PHIL 1F91 Lecture : Rochfoucauld, Rochester, Augustine, & Aquinas
19 Apr 2012
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Two good examples of pessimists: francois de la rochfoucauld, earl of rochester, they are definitely expressing cynical views of human nature and not holding out much hope for humankind, because humankind is not kind to humans! Uses literary non-argumentative style with aphorisms presumably based on his observations of people in 17th c france and readings about other peoples and making both diachronic* and synchronic**comparisons. * (= across time) people living at different times [4th century bce greece and 17th century europe ce] **(= same time) people living at the same time [21st century canada and china] Note bene: maxims 11, 14, 19, 27, 78 re justice: thrasymachus in plato"s, republic and ch. Or an impressionistic statistical argument: 83 equally cynical about friendship, 135 extremely interesting. Other virtues deconstructed: gratitude 223, humility 253, love 259, pity 264, true love and true friendship 473, idea of roles and role playing 256.
