
Contents
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fourth Walk Fourth Walk
-
Fifth Walk Fifth Walk
-
Sixth Walk Sixth Walk
-
-
-
-
-
-
6 Being a Philosopher: Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Walks
Get access-
Published:March 2023
Cite
Abstract
This chapter presents a reading of the Reveries' Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Walks. The Fifth Walk, which is probably the best known and loved, centers on what Rousseau depicts as rapturous experiences of timelessness and self-sufficiency attained through the most solitary solitude; as (effectively) the Reveries' central chapter, the Fifth Walk indicates the centrality of eternity to philosophy. Its focus on rapture also indicates that the happiness of which he speaks is erotic, which is also true of the three institutions treated in book five of the Republic. The Fourth and Sixth Walks, by contrast, deal with the how the philosopher might engage the outside world and its all too timely impositions and demands. The Fourth Walk purports to be an inquiry into truthfulness and lying, which it is. But by being such it is also an inquiry into justice and injustice. The Sixth Walk proves to be an inquiry into freedom, especially the meaning of natural freedom, which is the philosopher's freedom. Like book six of the Republic, the Sixth Walk treats the paradox character of philosopher-kingship. The three Walks together explore natural goodness as manifest in and safeguarded by what Rousseau might call civil (or post-civil) man.
Sign in
Personal account
- Sign in with email/username & password
- Get email alerts
- Save searches
- Purchase content
- Activate your purchase/trial code
- Add your ORCID iD
Purchase
Our books are available by subscription or purchase to libraries and institutions.
Purchasing informationMonth: | Total Views: |
---|---|
February 2024 | 1 |
August 2024 | 1 |
April 2025 | 2 |
Get help with access
Institutional access
Access to content on Oxford Academic is often provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. If you are a member of an institution with an active account, you may be able to access content in one of the following ways:
IP based access
Typically, access is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses. This authentication occurs automatically, and it is not possible to sign out of an IP authenticated account.
Sign in through your institution
Choose this option to get remote access when outside your institution. Shibboleth/Open Athens technology is used to provide single sign-on between your institution’s website and Oxford Academic.
If your institution is not listed or you cannot sign in to your institution’s website, please contact your librarian or administrator.
Sign in with a library card
Enter your library card number to sign in. If you cannot sign in, please contact your librarian.
Society Members
Society member access to a journal is achieved in one of the following ways:
Sign in through society site
Many societies offer single sign-on between the society website and Oxford Academic. If you see ‘Sign in through society site’ in the sign in pane within a journal:
If you do not have a society account or have forgotten your username or password, please contact your society.
Sign in using a personal account
Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members. See below.
Personal account
A personal account can be used to get email alerts, save searches, purchase content, and activate subscriptions.
Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members.
Viewing your signed in accounts
Click the account icon in the top right to:
Signed in but can't access content
Oxford Academic is home to a wide variety of products. The institutional subscription may not cover the content that you are trying to access. If you believe you should have access to that content, please contact your librarian.
Institutional account management
For librarians and administrators, your personal account also provides access to institutional account management. Here you will find options to view and activate subscriptions, manage institutional settings and access options, access usage statistics, and more.