The
state of nature is one of the most debated opinions concerning the nature of
human beings by philosophers. This is an extremely important concept because it
seeks an understanding of the manner through which humans before the formation
of societies behaved. The analysis of the state of nature considered the
reasons behind why individuals ended up becoming part of societies, which
essentially brought about a situation where there was the creation of the
nation-state. A consequence of such a situation was that individuals shifted
from a state of nature to a state of society, and the problems that the latter
entails. Among these problems are the restrictions that the society puts on the
natural rights of individuals, to such an extent that they essentially become
subject to a political system. In this paper, there will be an analysis of the
state of nature, with reference to the opinions of John Locke and Jean-Jacques
Rousseau being compared and contrasted.
Among
the most important philosophers to undertake to explain this concept are Locke
and Rousseau, both of who consider individuals before the formation of
societies had better lives than is the case with those who live in societies.
Locke and Rousseau both consider the state of nature as having been more conducive
for individuals, because they were able to exercise their freedoms better.
Locke argues that individuals were able to live the way that they wanted
without harming one another because they in the state of nature, they made use
of reason. The governance of reason meant that they are able to ensure they
attained all their needs without resorting to exploiting one another, as is the
case in society (Locke 3). This argument is further advanced by Rousseau, who
considers the state of nature as having been the creation of a situation where
individuals were not able to harm one another because they did not know each
other well enough (Rousseau 50). The arguments made by both Rousseau and Locke
show that they take a common stance when it comes to the state of nature, where
they believe that individuals had more freedoms, and could act in such a way as
to ensure that their interests were catered for.
Locke
and Rousseau, despite the similarities of their arguments, also have a number
of differences. Locke promotes the idea that in the state of nature,
individuals were governed by reason (Locke 3). He essentially suggests that in
the state of nature, humans have the capacity to think and determine what it
best for them because of the presence of natural laws. This argument is one
that seeks to show that the state of nature and the governance of natural laws
are essential in the advancement of the rights of individuals. It also
considers that this state to be the most conducive because it allows for the
supremacy of natural laws over those of society. This is an argument that does
not agree with that proposed by Rousseau, who proposes that in the state of
nature, individuals are neither good nor bad. Instead, they live in an
environment where they are not able to distinguish what it right from wrong.
Moreover, Rousseau is of the opinion that individuals in a state of nature are
essentially blank slates, who end up being influenced by societies, which are
essentially determinants of whether individuals will be good or evil (Rousseau
46). Therefore, Rousseau seems not to believe that the state of nature involves
the governance of reason, and this is especially considering that individuals do
not know good from evil.
The
origins of the political community are explained by both Locke and Rousseau and
this is done in relation to the state of nature. Locke is of the opinion that
human beings are born free and that they become involved in the political
community out of the desire not to be alone. He suggests that humans are
created by God in a manner that encourages them to seek companionship, meaning
that they are inevitably drawn into a society that essentially develops into a
political community (Locke 28). However, despite being a part of the political
communities, natural law should take precedence, meaning that it is essential
for the natural rights of individuals should be respected at all times.
Rousseau, on the other hand, states that the formation of the political
community or civil state is responsible for the erosion of the state of nature
(Rousseau 167). He considers the latter to be real freedom that is the
essential right of all individuals, but with the formation of political
society, this freedom is disrupted because of the dominance of one group of
individuals over another. The result is that most individuals end up not having
the freedoms provided by the state of nature to undertake the actions that they
need to in order to bring about the advancement of their own personal needs.
Despite
their differences, both Locke and Rousseau provide very pertinent arguments
concerning the state of nature. However, the account provided by Rousseau is
one that is more convincing because it provides a perspective concerning the
state of nature and how this state is affected by the formation of society. One
of the most important arguments that Rousseau makes, and is more convincing
than that of Locke, is that in the state of nature, individuals are essentially
blank slates, meaning that they are unaffected by any form of corruption (Rousseau
50). Instead, they live in an environment where they are governed by their own
needs, neither being good or bad. This is an important argument because it
shows Rousseau’s belief that society is what brings about the disruption of the
state of nature, to such an extent that individuals are pushed towards behaving
in a manner that is against their nature (Widerquist and McCall). Furthermore,
Rousseau’s argument shows that it is society that has an influence on the
development of individuals into either good or evil, because they become
affected by the restrictive practices that are a part of the social
environment. A result of such a situation is that one group of people achieves
dominance over another because they have the ability to enforce their will (Rousseau
259); essentially going against the state of nature where all people are not
only equal, but are also free to do as they please.
The
natural state of mankind can be considered an essential concept because it
seeks to ensure that there is the promotion of the rights of individuals in
society. This is especially considering that it involves individuals having
natural rights that are inalienable, even within the social structure. The
recognition of natural rights is fundamental in the establishment of means
through which to ensure that individuals are not only able to live according to
their own desires, but do so based on the governance of reason. Reflecting on
the natural state of mankind is essential in the establishment of a conversation
concerning the effects of society on the rights of individuals. It also helps
to bring about a conversation about the need to ensure that there is a respect
of the natural rights of individuals in such a way that enables these rights to
be recognized even within a social environment, where the restrictions against
them are numerous. The attainment of a just society, where individuals have a
right to ensure that there is the advancement of their interests by the
political class through the application of reason, is essential in the
advancement of the state of nature. Therefore, rather than the state of nature
being one governed by chaos, a reflection on it is an important means of
bringing about a respect for the natural rights of individuals.
Works
Cited
Locke,
John. Second Treatise of Government: An Essay Concerning the True
Original, Extent and End of Civil Government. John Wiley & Sons, 2014.
Rousseau,
Jean-Jacques. The basic political writings. Hackett Publishing,
2010.
Widerquist,
Karl, and Grant McCall. "Myths about the State of Nature and the Reality
of Stateless Societies." Analyse & Kritik 37.1-2
(2015): 233-258.