Krytyka instytucji w Listach o sympatii Sophie de Grouchy

Abstract

The paper reconstructs and analyses Sophie de Grouchy’s views on social institutions, which, according to her, when functioning bad, are responsible for the unjust actions of humans. De Grouchy begins with presenting her views on sympathy, and subsequently, through the issue of the natural human tendency to do good, brings the reader to her critique of laws and institutions. She lists four main motivators that incline people to act wrongly, and she shows that within the frames of social institutions and laws, they overweigh the natural tendency to do good. De Grouchy also suggests the need for social reform.