Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was a renowned French philosopher and a great political thinker of the eighteenth century. He expressed his theory of Social Contract in his famous book- “Social Contract”. He was born in Geneva in 1712 and finally settled in Paris. He was deeply affected by the political situation in France. He was greatly influenced by Plato, Montesquieu and Cicero, etc. His own ideas deeply influenced Kant and Hegel, the well-known German philosopher. Initially his views and ideas were severely criticised and opposed. His books were burnt to ashes. Being disgusted and disappointed with the sorry state of affairs, he committed suicide. His works became popular and got accepted after he committed suicide in 1778. Such was
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The stronger man did more of the work while the craftier got more of the product. Thus, appeared the difference between rich and poor which is the main source of all forms of inequality. The institution of private property, attended by the institution of family was responsible for violence, crime and other evils of society such as jealousy. There were wars and murders everywhere. Thus, the life of individual became intolerable and difficult. This problem was solved through the help of a social contract.
3.3 State Of Nature According to Rousseau, “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains”. He was against the established rules of society and advocated the doctrine of “Back to nature”. What Rousseau meant by “back to nature” was that nature must be the rule for man in society. It would keep man away from the corrupt and artificial existence. He believed that in the state of nature man led to heavenly life and enjoyed divine pleasures. They remained happy, contented and self-reliant.
The chief activity of the people was hunting. He ate wild roots and fruits. He was not exposed to the art of agriculture and the techniques of industry. Animal skin was used to cover his body. He was under nobody’s authority and everyone was his own master. He led an innocent life with perfect freedom and equality. He had no idea of
The stronger man did more of the work while the craftier got more of the product. Thus, appeared the difference between rich and poor which is the main source of all forms of inequality. The institution of private property, attended by the institution of family was responsible for violence, crime and other evils of society such as jealousy. There were wars and murders everywhere. Thus, the life of individual became intolerable and difficult. This problem was solved through the help of a social contract.
3.3 State Of Nature According to Rousseau, “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains”. He was against the established rules of society and advocated the doctrine of “Back to nature”. What Rousseau meant by “back to nature” was that nature must be the rule for man in society. It would keep man away from the corrupt and artificial existence. He believed that in the state of nature man led to heavenly life and enjoyed divine pleasures. They remained happy, contented and self-reliant.
The chief activity of the people was hunting. He ate wild roots and fruits. He was not exposed to the art of agriculture and the techniques of industry. Animal skin was used to cover his body. He was under nobody’s authority and everyone was his own master. He led an innocent life with perfect freedom and equality. He had no idea of