Rousseau's Philosophy: State of Nature and Society

Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Philosophy of Society and Property

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) offered profound insights into human nature, the state of nature, and the origins of society. His ideas challenged conventional wisdom and continue to influence political thought.

Rousseau's State of Nature

Rousseau posited a state of nature distinct from that of his contemporaries like Hobbes. While Hobbes described a "war of all against all," Rousseau envisioned a more peaceful, pre-social existence:

• Absence of Scarcity: Unlike Hobbes, Rousseau believed the state of nature was one of abundance, where nature provided for human needs.
• Undeveloped Imagination and Desires: Early humans were simple and ignorant, their minds undeveloped. Consequently, their desires were few and easily satisfied by nature's bounty.
• Minimal Interaction: Individuals rarely encountered each other, leading to no competition.
• Natural Pity (Empathy): Rousseau argued that humans possess a natural sense of pity or empathy. While egoism exists, individuals prefer to achieve their desires without causing suffering to others.
• Equality: In this state, humans were fundamentally equal, with no inherent competition.
• Spontaneous Relations: Any interactions were punctual, momentary, and spontaneous, not forming lasting social bonds.
• No Dependence: Crucially, in the state of nature, no one needed anyone else.

Origins of Society and Private Property

Rousseau pondered why humans would abandon such a pacific state. His answer points to the emergence of private property:

• The First Proprietor: Rousseau theorized that society began when someone first claimed a piece of land as their own, and others accepted it. This act, though initially isolated, was then imitated and spread, leading to the division of the entire planet into private properties.
• Philosophical Reasoning: This account is not a historical narrative but a philosophical explanation of how society could rationally emerge from the state of nature.
• Consequences of Property: The advent of private property meant that newcomers entered a world where every place was already owned. To survive, individuals had to enter into covenants and deal with property owners.
• Defining Society: For Rousseau, the state of nature did not constitute society because relations were spontaneous and lacked dependence. Society, in contrast, is defined as a system of relations of dependence between humans.

Laws and Guardians of Property

The establishment of private property necessitated a new system to protect it:

• Protection of Claims: The declaration "This is mine" required the rest of the world to respect that claim to prevent theft.
• Invention of the Rich: Rousseau contended that laws were primarily an invention of the wealthy, designed to legitimize and protect their property.
• System of Guardians: Laws created a system of guardians, often using violence, to defend private properties and enforce these new societal norms.