Jean-Jacques Rousseau, one of the most influential philosophers of the 18th century, reshaped the landscape of political and social theory. His ideas, particularly those outlined in The Social Contract and Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men, have had a profound impact on modern thought, influencing the French Revolution, the development of democratic ideals, and the evolution of social theory. Rousseau's philosophy is a reflection of his deep concern with the relationship between individuals and society, the nature of human freedom, and the consequences of civilization.
At the heart of Rousseau's thought is his concept of the "state of nature," a condition in which humans existed before the corrupting influence of society. In this natural state, Rousseau argued, humans were free, equal, and solitary. Their basic needs were limited, and they acted primarily on instinct, guided by compassion and self-preservation. However, with the rise of private property, inequality began to emerge, leading to the social contract—a mechanism through which individuals could unite to form a collective body politic, agreeing to follow the "general will" for the common good. This social contract was Rousseau's answer to the problem of how to create a just society that respects both individual liberty and collective harmony.
Rousseau rejected the view that human beings are inherently selfish, as suggested by other philosophers like Hobbes. Instead, he believed that while civilization introduced inequality and competition, it also created the potential for true human freedom, which could only be realized in a political community that was based on the collective will of its people. Rousseau's idea of the general will is central to his political theory. The general will is not simply the sum of individual desires but represents the collective interests that transcend personal ambitions, aiming for the common good.
