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Jean-Jacques Rousseau: BRANCH: Political Philosophy APPROACH: Social Contract Theory

Rousseau was an 18th century philosopher who developed the theory of social contract. He argued that society corrupts human nature, which is naturally good, and that the laws imposed by society condemn humans to lives "in chains." Rousseau proposed that the solution is for laws to arise from the general will of the people to ensure equality for all citizens. His ideas influenced later philosophers and played a role in the French Revolution.

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87 views1 page

Jean-Jacques Rousseau: BRANCH: Political Philosophy APPROACH: Social Contract Theory

Rousseau was an 18th century philosopher who developed the theory of social contract. He argued that society corrupts human nature, which is naturally good, and that the laws imposed by society condemn humans to lives "in chains." Rousseau proposed that the solution is for laws to arise from the general will of the people to ensure equality for all citizens. His ideas influenced later philosophers and played a role in the French Revolution.

Uploaded by

Ma'am Lanie Capistrano
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU

BRANCH: Political Philosophy


APPROACH: Social Contract Theory

-He was very much a product of the mid -to late- 18th century period known as the Enlightenment, and
an embodiment of the continental European philosophy of the time.

Science and Art Corrupt

-He argues that far from improving minds and lives, the art and sciences decrease human virtue and
happiness.

The Inequality of Laws

*The subject matter chimed with the mood of time, (to agree or to be similar to something) echoing the
calls for social reform

*He contradicted conventional thinking with his analysis. The selfish, savage, and unjust state of nature
depicted by Hobbes is, for Rousseau, a description not of “natural man” but of “civilized man”.

-He claims that it is civil society that induces this savage state. Humanity’s natural state, he argues, is
innocent, happy, and independent: man is born free.

Society Corrupts

The state of nature that Rousseau describes is a pastoral idyll, where people in their natural state are
fundamentally good. But once this state of innocence is disrupted, and the power of reason begins to
separate humankind from the rest of nature.

-He points out, but also from innocence and freedom to injustice and enslavement. Although humanity
is naturally virtuous, it is corrupted by society; and although man is born free, the laws imposed by
society condemn him to a life “in chains”.

The Social Contract

*His portrayal of the state of nature as desirable and not brutal formed a vital part of the emerging
Romantic movement in literature. He rallying cry “ back to nature” and his pessimistic analysis of
modern society as full of inequalities and injustices sat well with the growing social unrest. Rousseau
went on to offer a solution, perhaps his most influential work, The Social Contract. He argues that laws
are binding only when they are supported by the general will of the people.

-Rousseau imagines the citizen body operating as a unit, prescribing laws according to the volonte
generale or general will. The laws would arise from all and apply to all_ everyone would be considered
equal. In contrast with the social contract envisaged by Locke, which was designed to protect the rights
and property of individuals.

Political Influence

-Rousseau’s political influence was felt most strongly during period of revolution immediately after his
death, but his influence on philosophy, and political philosophy.

 Georg Hegel integrated Rousseau’s ideas of social contract into his own philosophical system.
 Karl Max particularly struck by some of Rousseau’s work on inequality and injustice.
 Robespierre (The leader of French Revolution) appropriated Rousseau’s philosophy for his own
ends during the Reign of Terror.

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