An Analysis Of The Concept Of "Nature" And "History" In Rousseau 's Philosophical Thought

Rousseau’s thought has always been controversial, domestic and foreign research data related to Rousseau is also quite rich, his book became the classic text for later scholars to research. One of the dispute is that his description of natural state has been criticized by many scholars,because they think that he wants humans to return to the original state and it is a backward step.This paper is mainly based on Rousseau’s classic work The Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality Among Men to analyze two Rousseau’s concepts "natural " and "historical ", to show readers clearly the evolution of the state of nature and human history in the eyes of Rousseau and analyze how Rousseau to treat the transition relationship between nature and history.The introduction of this article introduces the origin of the problem’s study and the research statue of the problem at home and abroad. What’s more, simply introduces the background and reason of Rousseau’s paper" On Inequality".Since this paper is based on the theory of inequality, then we had to mention a writing before "On inequality" named "on science and art", this paper make Rousseau emerged, which contains the seeds of Rousseau’s ideas, laid the whole idea of a tone of Rousseau," On Inequality " is based on the issues raised by the " On Science and Art" to carry out further research. Therefore, the second chapter will focus on analyzing the paper "On Science and Art". Rousseau fiercely attacked the civilized society in this paper, concluded that the progress of science and art not only failed to promote moral improvement, but led to confusion and moral depravity of mankind and society. Now that the abuse of the science and art make human immorality, then before the science and art is produced, what did human beings look like in the initial original state? It enters into the topic of "theory of inequality ".The third chapter analyzes the "natural" thought of "On Inequality", the "nature" showed two aspects, natural conditions and human nature, the philosophy of the two aspects is the most characteristic of Rousseau’s philosophy. Rousseau’s natural state in nature is different from the former philosophers Hobbes and Locke’s. Through the comparison, the state of nature theory of Rousseau neither attribute mixed society construction, nor to achieve a certain right system of theory. He wants to discuss is the problem of human, so human nature is an important part of Rousseau’s exploration, he considers self-love, compassion and self perfection ability as human innate nature. Natural person rely on the nature and natural instinct to live a alone, free, equal life in the state of nature.So what makes the calm life of a natural person changed? The fourth chapter of this paper mainly analyzes the second part of" On Inequality",that is, the description of human social evolution history. Self perfection ability of human beings play a role in the accidental factors, allowing humans to slowly transition from natural state to the social state, which experienced four historical stages, the natural state before the emergence of private ownership, the production of family and private ownership stage, the agricultural stage and the stage of social and legal. During these periods, humans have gradually gained rationality and wisdom, no longer like barbarian who is neither good nor evil and innocent ignorance.But clearly, the human got the ideal and wisdom and brought evil and evil in the same time, which is the duality of the history. Also seen the paradox of civilization and moral. In the process of historical development, the accidental factors, human’s ability has been improved, continuous improvement, at the same time, human morality to fall, the evil factors slowly accumulate, make social chaos and extremely inequality. How to let the human to enter an egalitarian society, this is Rousseau continue to think about, in his "social contract theory" is envisaged, this paper does not do too much analysis.In the fifth chapter, the paper summarizes the relationship of the concept of "natural" and "history" and its influence on his later creation. Should say " On Inequality " is the foundation of Rousseau’s philosophy, in which ideas throughout his later creation, so that Rousseau’s writings showed a consistent integrity.The last part is the conclusion of this article, it summarizes the entire article. By analyzing "On inequality",point out the uniqueness of Rousseau’s " natural " concept, and then explore the human historical process of the transition from the natural state to the social state, find the duality of history.