In this blog post, we explore Rousseau’s philosophy and examine how his ideas can restore human nature and be applied to modern society.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s philosophy begins with the following premise: “In the state of nature, humans were good, free, and happy; however, with the advent of society and civilization, humans became evil, lost their freedom, and became unhappy.” This idea was revolutionary in the society of his time and demanded deep reflection on human nature. Rousseau believed that humans are born free and equal, and argued that in this state, they could live according to the laws of nature without external oppression or conflict. However, as time passed, humans began to drift away from the state of nature alongside the development of civilization, and as a result, unhappiness and corruption began to take root.
Rousseau clearly articulates this perspective in one of his major works, *Emile, or A Treatise on Education*. At the beginning of the book, he declares: “Everything in this world is good when it comes from the hand of the Creator, but it becomes corrupted when it falls into the hands of man. “Man attempts to cultivate in one land the produce of another, and strives to make one tree bear the fruit of another. He even mixes up climates, environments, and seasons. Man leaves nothing in the state in which nature created it.” Such statements symbolically illustrate how humanity has fallen by defying the natural order and attempting to alter the world through artificial means.
According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in the state of nature, humans took nothing beyond what was necessary to satisfy their needs and caused no harm to others. Humans even possessed an instinctive disposition to help others. However, as consciousness awakened, human desires expanded beyond what was necessary. Because of these selfish desires, the system of private property was established, and as a result, an unequal society emerged. In other words, selfish desires led to human corruption, and society became filled with conflict and strife among people.
Rousseau criticized this corruption of humanity and society, arguing that humans must recover the goodness and purity they originally possessed. He viewed a return to the natural state of humanity not as a mere nostalgic call to go back to the past, but as a proactive alternative to overcome the absurdities of modern society. It was from this perspective that *Emile, or A Treatise on Education* was written; Rousseau believed that through education, human nature could be restored and, furthermore, a more just and equal society could be built.
*Emile, or A Treatise on Education* was written to prescribe a remedy for these ills of humanity and society. In short, that remedy is to restore to humans the nature they have lost. That is, by returning humans to the primal innocence of the state of nature, it aims to create a society where people can live good, free, and happy lives. Rousseau believed that such a transformation was possible through education. He viewed education not merely as a means of imparting knowledge, but as a method for fully preserving and expressing human nature.
The essence of this education can be glimpsed through the process by which the fictional child Emile grows into an ideal human being according to the educational program designed by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This education is based on the principle that humans in a state of nature should follow a process of self-cultivation—both mentally and physically—while maintaining their innate innocence. Therefore, children are taught only the knowledge necessary for practical life, and they are encouraged to observe directly or engage in free, active experiences in accordance with their physical and mental development. Through this, children can grow into moral individuals who are free yet possess honesty and virtue.
This directly reflects his view of humanity, which places great importance on the natural state of human beings.
Rousseau also emphasizes the roles of parents and educators in this educational process. He argued that parents and educators must respect children’s autonomy and observe them without interfering with their natural developmental process. He believed that the purpose of education is not simply to produce functional individuals capable of adapting to society, but to help individuals fully realize their own nature.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s call to return to nature may sound like an empty cry. This is because human history has already progressed too far for a return to the nature Rousseau speaks of. However, Rousseau’s view of humanity—that humans are inherently pure beings—remains meaningful. His ideal—which sought an ideal human capable of fostering bonds between people and practicing equality—shines even brighter today, when humanity is driven to become slaves to greed.
In modern society, Rousseau’s ideas still offer important lessons. His ideas can be interpreted not merely as a longing for the lost state of nature, but as an effort to rediscover the essence of a truly human life within it. Today’s social inequalities and environmental problems may be resolved, as Rousseau pointed out, through harmony with nature and the restoration of human nature. In this sense, Rousseau’s ideas are not merely a philosophy of the past but contain a message for the present and the future.
