Does Rousseau Still Exist Essay

Most of Rousseau's philosophy is rooted in an outlook that was far more positive than any previous philosophy before it. 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 his attempts to define what human nature would be like without any social or political institutions, Rousseau brings forth the notion that without these institutions, mankind would be happy and generally free of dissension and conflict. Social contracts are dissolution of mankind’s original, pure state of being. Rousseau often speaks of “the true state of nature.” What he means by this is not the idea of the noble …show more content…
In describing the “true state of man” Rousseau often contradicts himself. The advantage of describing this is that it solidifies his arguments that social institutions are the source of mankind’s bad behavior. However, at the same time he defines this true state of nature, he also brings into question whether or not it ever existed. He certainly believes it is no longer possible for it to exist. However, while the inexistence of this state might at first appear to be a disadvantage, this contradiction ultimately proves Rousseau’s point. Rousseau believes that with any social contract that comes with a sovereign power, some essence of the citizen’s freedom is given up in exchange for whatever the contract can offer them. After all, with the loss of freedom comes the loss of humanity. However, Rousseau does concede that at this point, it is in no way possible for mankind to exist without some form of society in place. Therefore, in showing the inability for the true state of nature to exist, Rousseau gives mankind something to strive for that is feasible in today's society, rather than continuing to try and achieve the