Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Theory vs. John Locke's Theory

Attribute	Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Theory	John Locke's Theory
View on human nature	Believed humans are naturally good but corrupted by society	Believed humans are born as a blank slate
Role of government	Advocated for a social contract where individuals give up some freedoms for the common good	Believed in a limited government that protects natural rights
View on private property	Believed private property leads to inequality and should be abolished	Believed in the right to private property as a natural right
Education	Emphasized the importance of education for moral development	Believed education is essential for the development of reason and virtue

Background

Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke were both influential philosophers who contributed significantly to the field of political theory. Rousseau was a French philosopher who lived in the 18th century, while Locke was an English philosopher who lived in the 17th century. Both philosophers had differing views on the nature of human beings, the role of government, and the social contract.

Nature of Human Beings

Rousseau believed that human beings were inherently good in their natural state, but that society corrupted them. He argued that society imposed artificial constraints on individuals, leading to inequality and injustice. In contrast, Locke believed that human beings were born as blank slates, with their experiences shaping their character. He believed that individuals had the capacity for reason and were capable of self-improvement.

Role of Government

Rousseau's theory of government was based on the idea of the general will, which represented the common good of society. He believed that individuals should surrender their individual wills to the general will in order to create a just and equal society. In contrast, Locke believed that the primary role of government was to protect the natural rights of individuals, such as life, liberty, and property. He argued that individuals entered into a social contract with the government to protect these rights.

Social Contract

Rousseau's concept of the social contract was based on the idea of a collective agreement among individuals to create a society that reflected the general will. He believed that individuals should be free to pursue their own interests within the constraints of the general will. In contrast, Locke's concept of the social contract was based on the idea of individuals voluntarily entering into a contract with the government to protect their natural rights. He believed that individuals had the right to rebel against a government that violated their rights.

Property Rights

Rousseau believed that private property was the root of inequality and injustice in society. He argued that the concept of private property led to the exploitation of the poor by the rich. In contrast, Locke believed that individuals had the right to acquire and possess property as long as they did not deprive others of their rights. He argued that property rights were essential for individuals to pursue their own interests and improve their lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke had differing views on the nature of human beings, the role of government, and the social contract. Rousseau believed that individuals were inherently good but corrupted by society, while Locke believed that individuals were born as blank slates shaped by their experiences. Rousseau's theory of government was based on the general will, while Locke's theory focused on protecting natural rights. Despite their differences, both philosophers made significant contributions to the field of political theory and continue to influence political thought today.