October, 2009

Below are the questions for session 2. Feel free to discuss them before and after class in the comments section

(1) Mill associates individuality with our inborn potential for natural genius, while Tocqueville at times associates it with aristocratic distinction. Where does individuality "come from," in your view?

(2) Mill cites Tocqueville's idea of the "tyranny of the majority." Do you think Tocqueville portrays it any differently in his book?

Here are some questions to ponder and discuss before and after the first mini course class on Wednesday. Feel free to use the comments section below to discuss. If you have longer comments, please e-mail Ethan Rouen at ecr2102@columbia.edu and he will create a seperate post on the blog. Enjoy.

1. What does Constant  think the difference is between freedom in the ancient world and freedom in the modern world? Do you think he is right?

Coming soon, Samuel Moyn, professor of history, will be posting questions and contributing to the discussion as we join him for his mini course, a three-class lecture discussing "Individuality and Society." The course begins on October 21 and will discuss Constant's "The Liberty of the Ancients Compared with that of the Moderns;" J.S.