Jean-Jacques Rousseau & the Importance of Nature

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, an influential philosopher from 18th Century Switzerland, established sociological views and theories that greatly emphasized the importance of nature in human interaction and growth. His theories would go on to provide great inspiration and guidance for future philosophers, such as Immanuel Kant, one of the founders of the “idealist approach” to sociology. Rousseau believed that much of what was considered human progress was actually separating humanity from nature, and thus creating distractions and pressure to conform. Many of Rousseau’s theories were considered unconventional at the time, and met with much backlash, due to his passion for individual reason. Despite this, his works proved popular, not only for his criticisms, but for the quality of his writing. I think many of his ideas ring true today, especially in a world where outside influence plays such a big role in many opinions and ideals, and technological advances, though beneficial, are continuing to separate humans from nature and their inner selves. Rousseau believed that a much more introspective approach was necessary to determine true reason.

Rousseau calls the family “the most ancient of all societies” and “the only one that is natural”. Yet even still, the bond between a child and his father only exists until the need for preservation ceases, and the child becomes independent. It is only after this, if the bond is maintained, that it is done so voluntarily, and not as a necessity. I took this as one of Rousseau’s easiest examples to understand, because it is a situation that almost every person can relate to, because as children, we are solely dependent on our parents for survival. From birth, we are completely reliant on our parents, to feed, clean and take care of us. As we grow older, this dependence slowly begins to lessen, until we reach our teens, where it is almost non-existent. It is then, that many teens begin to grow distant and rebel against their parent’s wishes, this marking the beginning of the yearning for independence. I realize that what Rousseau is saying isn’t as cut and dry as this example, but I believe this is the basis of the point he is making.