Reconstruction Of The Inner And Outer Worlds

The Enlightenment and Romanticism are two major movements in western modern history. The two movements share the common goal in fighting against feudal autarchy and the corruption and autarchy of the Catholic Church. Romanticism is a reflection and criticism to the big bourgeoisie nature and Rationality First of the Enlightenment. In this sense, Rousseau is an enlightenment thinker and a forerunner of Romanticism as well.While the other torchbearers led by Voltaire were singing the song of triumph for rationalism and modern civilization, Rousseau had sensitively foreseen the social problems accompanied by modern civilization and put forward the idea of rebuilding the inner and outer worlds. Using Natural State as his logical starting point, Rousseau comes to the conclusion that the Natural enjoy the primitive freedom and equality. Based on this theory, Rousseau exposes and criticizes the internal and external problems of the civilized world. He points out that the development of the modern civilized world not only causes and accelerates inequality, but also results in human alienation, moral depravity and the loss of soul. The crisis is deepened by the Rationality First theory. The Enlightenment scholars exaggerate the function of rationality and overlook the source of belief --- emotion. Therefore, Rousseau proposed to establish citizen’s religion based upon morality, emotion and freedom.The longing for freedom is the driving force for Rousseau’s criticism of the civilized world. The realization of freedom requires for the elimination of the inner and outer attachment, i. e. the attachment of economy with spirit and soul. Accordingly, he seeks to rebuild the inner and outer worlds. The general will is a key concept in Rousseau’s political philosophy. The general will is the common will which represents the fundamental interest of the general public and law embodies the general will. A democratic society governed by law must be a society which values the general will most. The relationship between freedom and the general will is dialectic but not contradictory. In order to rebuild the inner world, government needs to cultivate love and justice among its people through education. Every new citizen is an embodiment of rights and responsibility. All new citizens love themselves and others from the bottom of their hearts. The ultimate goal of Rousseau’s philosophy is to solve problems between individual and society, to construct a sincere cooperation among people and finally to realize individual’s will in a free, equal, fair and harmonious society.Rousseau’s political thought has the most profound effect on western modern political thoughts. Rousseau first makes a deep and profound criticism about the Enlightenment, its weaknesses and limitations. As a result of this, he is regarded as the father of Romanticism. His political thought also has great influence on Kant, Hegel, Marx and the other great thinkers. And it becomes theoretical guide for the French Revolution, the American Revolution and the Old Democratic Revolution in China. Rousseau’s vision and wisdom is of great importance for us to develop human civilization in a reasonable and healthy way and to construct an equal, just, democratic society ruled by law. However, as a representative of the petty bourgeoisie, his political thoughts have certain times and class limitations.