Rousseau's Philosophy: Authenticity and Pretense

The distinction between being and seeming is essential for understanding key aspects of Rousseau's philosophy. It allows us to identify some of the most significant differences between the state of nature and civil society.

The State of Nature: Unveiling True Being

In the state of nature, such a distinction is impossible. This is because it occurs in a context where humans interact only with their peers, free from external pressures, societal constructs, or the need for possessions. The natural man lives in an immediate relationship with his environment, making him much closer to mere animality than the adult life of a civilized human being. This is why the natural man ignores the difference between being and seeming, lacking any notion that could equate to pretending.

For such a distinction to arise, ambition, greed, and the desire for power must permanently reside in the human spirit. Since the natural man lacks rationality, ambitions, and the need to defend goods, he cannot pretend to be something other than what he is.

In relation to this, Borges once recounted how a boy knew of families who lived in hiding during the summer months, wanting people to believe they were spending their summers in the city of Montevideo.

Civil Society: The Mask of Hypocrisy

To truly grasp Rousseau's ideas, we must consider his description of the state of nature as a concept designed to create a contrast effect. This contrast leads us to question certain aspects of civilization, culture, and morality as we know them.

With civilized man, things change dramatically. His vain and superfluous desires and needs have completely alienated him, leading him to retreat behind a mask presented in society—a mask that has nothing to do with his true self. Civilization transforms us into miserable hypocrites and engenders inequalities that were not present in the state of nature. This occurs because genuine being is replaced by the opinions and preferences of other men.

Rousseau's Core Concepts of Human Emotion

The natural man possesses two innate feelings that contribute to his harmony with the environment: amour de soi (self-preservation) and pitié (natural pity).

Amour de Soi: Self-Preservation

The first is a form of self-preservation that compels him to ensure his own well-being, striving to protect his life from potential dangers and maintain optimal conditions.

Pitié: Natural Compassion

The second leads him to identify with those who suffer and to experience a rejection of the pain of others. It is easy to see how the confluence of both innate feelings makes the state of nature a peaceful and harmonious place.

Amour-Propre: The Rise of Pride and Envy

Amour-propre is an artificial feeling that arises when human beings begin to view others as mere instruments for their own welfare. The consequences of this self-esteem include pride, envy, and other negative emotions.