Rousseau's Philosophy: Inequality, Society, and the State of Nature

Rousseau's Discourse on Inequality (1754)

The work Man and Society, presented in the Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Among Men (1754), marks a crucial starting point for anthropological thought. It introduces the hypothesis (due to a lack of empirical data) of the "state of nature," the condition in which humans lived before forming organized society.

The State of Nature: True, Good, and Happy

Under this original scenario, man in the state of nature is characterized as true, good, and happy. He is moved primarily by two fundamental feelings:

• Love of Self (Amour de soi): The instinct for self-conservation.
• Compassion for Others: A natural aversion to seeing others suffer (in direct opposition to the views of Hobbes).

In this state, individuals live free and equal, without requiring a formal social group. They feel only their true needs and possess the capacity for self-improvement. This is the idea of the "noble savage," who neither submits to anyone nor is guided by the law of the jungle. This concept exemplifies the fundamental clash between nature and culture.

The Transition to Civilization and the Rise of Inequality

However, in the state of nature, man begins to feel threatened, leading to the emergence of fear. The transition from the state of nature to the state of civilization establishes inequality and defines the condition of modern man, characterized by injustice, oppression, and a lack of freedom. Man becomes evil, perverted by society, which Rousseau views as the source of all human ills.

Private Property: The Fundamental Cause of Inequality

Rousseau identifies the fundamental cause of inequality as private property (a concept Locke considered natural law) and the consequences it entails:

• Economic dependence
• Division of labor
• Ambition and war
• Creation of political institutions

Furthermore, Rousseau argues that the state perpetuates injustice, absolutism, and the arbitrary exercise of power. This demonstrates the artificial nature of the social structure, which is therefore unnatural and distant from idealized reason.

Consequences of Societal Corruption

The combination of these causes leads to the destruction of natural liberty, the proliferation of societies, and the moral deterioration of mankind that culminates in profound inequality. Rousseau is also critical of liberalism and natural law, arguing that the assertion of individual rights as inherently natural is a falsehood that has led society to greater inequality.

The Path to Recovery: Transforming Society

Since society (civilization) is the corrupter of man, Rousseau believes it is necessary to recover the original state of natural goodness and virtue. With his criticism, he is unwilling to return literally to a primitive natural state, but rather seeks to transform the poorly constructed society into one founded on genuine freedom and equality.

This effort toward recovery is attempted through two major works published in 1762:

• Political Solution: The Social Contract.
• Educational Solution: Emile, or On Education.