Rousseau In Absence
As I read Rousseau’s Discourse on the Science and the Arts for class, I realized how at odds I was with his ideas. According to the philosopher, mankind is naturally good and ethical, but is made corrupt through the influence of civilization. According to him, the arts and sciences, meaning all types of knowledge, crafts, and technologies, lead to the corruption of our morals and customs. To him, arts and sciences and morality are mutually exclusive; you can’t have good virtues if you focus on intellect. By focusing on such, we forsake “all that is sacred to men” such as faith, security through military, and sense of nationalism. We are always in pursuit of something better and people often forsake the pursuit of knowledge for the pursuit of fame and personal glory. It is instead better to stay ignorant in order to remain virtuous and honest rather than use reason and skepticism.
While I find that there is some truth to his ideas, mainly that there are those who abuse the power of knowledge in order to pursue personal recognition, that agreement is to a very limited extent. Rousseau writes
“As I put myself in the place of the oracle and ask myself whether I would prefer to be what I am or what they [men who pursue knowledge and advancement] are, to know what they have learned or to know that I know nothing, I answered to myself and God: I want to remain what I am.”
To not only desire to live in ignorance but to idealize it is astonishing to me. To rather know nothing at all than to accept new ways of thinking and performing is a very narrow-minded perspective and inhibits improvement in any way. Rousseau glorifies humans in their primitive, natural state and dismisses how cultivation of the arts and sciences has led to the betterment of mankind. The arts and sciences however, remain essential to society and human growth; they are the staples of modern civilization. We would have no culture, no medicine or any technological advancements that contribute to the improvement our lives. It is through medical advancements, civil rights movements, achievements in science, mathematics, and physics that allow us to live better lives and to progress in society. It is through these efforts that we are able to reform incorrect ways of thought. We as a species are made to develop and grow, we have a deep-seated need and drive to advance. If we have the capability to going beyond our basic nature, why not apply it. Valuing such philosophies and practices further allows individuals to reach their full potential and self-actualization. By attempting to better ourselves and the world around us, we are allowed to be fulfilled as humans, something not achievable if we remain in our primitive nature that robs us of the possibility of individual development.
While he fails to recognize the importance and necessity of progress, his case is also made flawed through his composition. How can his argument be proper and legitimate if he is employing the very same mechanisms that he is trying to undermine? By using rhetoric and skepticism himself, he is displaying their integral part in thinking and the human’s natural inclination to use such modes of thought. To denounce Enlightenment ideals and yet employ them at the same time creates an unsound assertion.
To declare that mankind is better off in their primitive state is flawed. We are made to advance and seek improvement in our lives. To remain undeveloped and ignorant is inhibiting the growth that is required to better society and oneself. Progress is necessary and it is an accomplishment that we are able to obtain it.