JeanJacques Rousseau, Hegel, and Marx

Exploring the origins of civil society, Rousseau argues that the first act of claiming land as private property marked humanity's descent into crime and conflict. He critiques Hobbes' view of human nature, asserting that individuals in a "state of nature" possess uncorrupted morals rather than inherent wickedness. Rousseau's philosophy emphasizes the communal ownership of the earth and warns against the dangers of societal constructs that lead to inequality and moral decay. His insights challenge prevailing notions of virtue and vice, advocating for a return to natural principles.