Jean Jacques Rousseau and the State of Nature

Summary

This video script explores the contrasting views of Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau on human nature in the state of nature. Hobbes envisions a life that is 'nasty, brutish, and short,' marked by perpetual conflict, while Rousseau paints a more peaceful picture of humans living contentedly with basic needs. The script delves into Rousseau's perspective, highlighting qualities like free will, self-perfection, and pity, which he believes contribute to a more harmonious existence. It invites viewers to consider the spectrum of human nature rather than a strict dichotomy between Hobbesian and Rousseauvian theories.

Takeaways

• 🌿 Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are often viewed as philosophical rivals with differing views on human nature and the state of nature.
• 📚 Both philosophers agree that the state of nature represents a hypothetical scenario of human life before the development of society and civilization.
• 🗣️ Hobbes famously described life in the state of nature as 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,' characterized by a constant state of war and violence among humans.
• 🌳 Rousseau, in contrast, depicted humans in the state of nature as content, with few needs, living a peaceful life under an oak tree, satisfying basic needs from nature itself.
• 🤔 Rousseau suggests that Hobbes' view of natural man may be biased by his societal context, where concepts like honor and success influence perception.
• 🏡 Rousseau argues that in the state of nature, there is little conflict over property because property as we know it does not exist.
• 👊 While Rousseau acknowledges the possibility of individual conflicts, he believes that large-scale conflicts are more prevalent in 'civilized' societies.
• 🆓 Rousseau identifies three key qualities of humans in the state of nature: free will, the faculty of self-perfection, and pity.
• 🔄 The faculty of self-perfection, according to Rousseau, could be the driving force that leads humans out of the peaceful state of nature in pursuit of more.
• 💔 Rousseau suggests that this pursuit of self-improvement and desire for more is the source of all human misfortunes, contrasting with Hobbes' grim view of human nature.
• ❤️ Pity, or the natural sentiment of concern for fellow humans, is highlighted by Rousseau as a counterbalance to Hobbes' depiction of humans as inherently hateful and violent.

Q & A

What is the state of nature according to the philosophers discussed in the script?

The state of nature refers to the hypothetical condition of human existence before the development of society and civilization, where life is devoid of societal structures and laws.

How does Thomas Hobbes describe life in the state of nature?

Hobbes depicts life in the state of nature as 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,' characterized by a constant state of war among humans marked by violence and murder.

What is Jean-Jacques Rousseau's perspective on life in the state of nature?

Rousseau envisions a more peaceful state of nature where humans are content with their basic needs being met, living a simple life under an oak tree, and not engaging in large-scale conflicts.

What are the three basic needs Rousseau suggests are present in the state of nature?

According to Rousseau, the three basic needs in the state of nature are food, water, and shelter.

How does Rousseau's view of human nature differ from Hobbes'?

Rousseau sees humans in the state of nature as essentially good and content with their lives, in contrast to Hobbes' view of humans as inherently violent and in constant conflict.

What does Rousseau attribute the discrepancy in views on human nature between Hobbes and himself to?

Rousseau believes that Hobbes' view is biased by his post-societal perspective, influenced by societal concepts of honor, success, and ownership, which are not present in the state of nature.

What are the three important qualities of the natural person that Rousseau mentions in his work?

The three qualities Rousseau mentions are free will, the faculty of self-perfection, and pity.

How does the faculty of self-perfection, as described by Rousseau, contribute to humans leaving the state of nature?

The faculty of self-perfection drives humans to seek more than what is naturally provided, leading to the development of society, law, and technology, and thus moving away from the tranquil life in the state of nature.

What role does pity play in Rousseau's view of human nature?

Pity, according to Rousseau, is a natural sentiment that moderates self-love and contributes to the mutual preservation of the human species, suggesting a capacity for empathy and care for others.

How does the script suggest we should approach the debate between Hobbes' and Rousseau's views on human nature?

The script encourages viewers to consider both perspectives and engage in a discussion, implying that there may not be a clear winner and that understanding human nature could be a matter of spectrum rather than dichotomy.

What does the script suggest about the relationship between human nature and societal influences?

The script implies that societal influences can corrupt or alter the natural state of human beings, with Rousseau arguing that the natural person is not corrupted by societal concepts and only knows the bare necessities.