How far do you agree with the statment that Rousseau can be quoted to contradict Rousseau ?
Ans. Rousseau was the last important social contract philosopher. But there are many self-contradictions and peculiarities in his philosophy. He was a democrat, an anarchist, an absolutist and an individualist. This had made many thinkers feel that he can be contradicted and quoted against himself,
1. Individualist: In his Emile, Rousseau has given clear indications that he was an individualist. He has clearly said that the people should be educated for their own sake. All restraints on the individuals were unnatural. He said, "When a man renounced his liberty he renounced his essential manhood, his rights and even his duty as a human being." Rousseau believed that man was basically good, free and independent. Morley has said about hint, "He is the extreme individualist, the latest and greatest of the individualist political theorists."
2. Absolutist: Whereas on the one hand, Rousseau was an individualist on the other he was an absolutist. Maine and Duguit regarded him a totalitarian and a terrible despot. According to his cirtics he has made only totalitarian arrangements in his social contract., He has also tried to justify the chains in which man was tied, His General Will is absolute and infallible. Man has no rights against General Will. Heis forced to be free only by coercion. In the words of Duguit, "Rousseau is the father of Jacobin despotism, of Caesarian dictatorship and the inspirer of the absolutist doctrine of Kant and Hegel" Similarly, Vaghan and Martin say,"No wonder the General Will raises a new monster of totalitarianism at whose alter the individual is made sacrificial lamb."
3. Democrat: Rousseau was an absolutist on the one hand and democrat on the other. His theory of General will is nothing else but the will of the people. According to him Government is to carry out the wishes of the people and implement the laws enacted by them. The individuals are sovereign. General will means good of all. Man was always good and virtuous and all moral values were present in man. Slogans of Freeh Revolution 'Liberty, Equality and Fraternity" have been derived from Rousseau's philosophy of General Will. It has been said that, "He is by general agreement taken, a true prophet if not the very source or fountain of the modern democratic state."
4. Socialist: Rousseau was not only a democrat but also a socialist. It was his 'Discourse on Inequality' which became the basis of Socialist movement in 19th century Europe. As a true socialist he believed that private property was always a source of all disturbance. It was responsible for creating struggle, jealousy and inequality.
Thus there are many conflicting views in the political philosophy of Rousseau. As such it has been said that Rousseau can be quoted against himself. If on the one hand he was an absolutist, on the other he was a democrat. On one hand be was an individualist but on the other he preached socialism.
