Human Nature In Rousseau's Work

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An idea present within most of Rousseau’s work was his rejection of any legitimate political authority. In his demonstration of a state of nature that “no longer exists, which has, perhaps, never existed,” Rousseau shows his audience what a world where people lived within a pure state of nature would be like. In attempting to define what human nature would be like without any social or political institutions, Rousseau brings forth the idea that without these institutions, mankind would be truly free and living without any type of dissension or conflict. Rousseau’s ideas here are based within his optimistic outlook on human nature. Unlike any of his predecessors, Rousseau believes that rooted within the heart of mankind’s nature is an inherent …show more content…
In order to overcome the negatives that so often follow any social contract, individuals must align themselves not with a ruling power, but rather the community as a whole. By doing so, the community creates several conditions that enable an individual to retain their freedom. Every citizen in the community must recognize that they are each individual beings within a greater system and community. Due to this, they must all be equally involved in the aim towards enacting the general will. (Quote) In addition, every individual in the community must be These conditions must ensure that everyone within the community is equal. In addition, all individuals within the community must be completely dedicated to the insurance of that equality. It is only by ensuring absolute equality that people are able to retain their individual freedoms. (Quote) Yet, by ensuring complete dedication to retaining their individual rights, citizens also prove their commitment to creating community that will be able to operate as it’s own, singular collective. They are all agreeing to be individual parts of a whole. It is here that Rousseau attempts to convince his audience that the true state of nature is something that would be in the best interests of the citizens. It is only by attempting to achieve this state that people would be able to best retain their freedom and humanity while existing within a society that enables them to succeed in a modern world. It is possible to maintain a sense of freedom and choice within a civil society; doing so just require a conscious adaptation of the self to a larger

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