Rousseau’s civil religion and the idea of sentiment as a counterpoison

Abstract

The aim of this article is to examine the expression “sentiments de sociabilité”, which Rousseau relates to the dogmas of civil religion in The Social Contract. From a historical point of view, it examines the linguistic fact that gave the expression “sentiment intérieur” the meaning of moral principle, thus making it possible for Rousseau to admit religious sentiments as motives for human action in the civil order. The analysis of Rousseau’s writings is not restricted to the Contract and seeks to comprehensively understand the concept of self-love, especially in Emile, from the perspective of human species’ improvement thesis, which, in the 18th century, was publicized by works of medicine associated with the social hygiene tradition. All the analyses presented here take as their backdrop the relationship between the idea of “second nature” and the problem of establishing habits that suit members of the social body.