The Theory of Innate Moral Consciousness in Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Works

Extract

[...] The ontological superiority of theas compared to other living beings The table made by the author is located in the extension of an ancient philosophical heritage that consisted in linking moral and ontological dimensions. By focusing on the characteristics of human moral expression, the writer comes to the fact that man enjoys an ontological superiority over other living beings. He tries through his writings to extract the aspects of an original human nature that carries an instinctive and natural moral conscience that leads him to draw a critique of the described society, which is seen as perverted. [...]

[...] However, if we take the example of the feral children studied by Jean Itard and L. Malson, we come to the conclusion that a child who evolves in nature, in solitude, and in retreat from all human community, who does not receive education, who is not confronted with 'human imprinting' does not develop in its attitudes any specificity of the human being such as language or bipedalism and is thus not a carrier of any moral principle. Claude Lévi-Strauss also goes in this direction. [...]

[...] The author's arguments are based on an implicit theory: there exists a human nature that is an essence or substance that is original and immutable, which is essentially distinguished by its innate and universal moral conscience. However, it is a fact that if we observe human behavior and analyze it sociologically and psychologically, a diversity and relativity of moral rules and values emerge. Why does Jean-Jacques Rousseau take this position? By referring to current research on human behavior, we will question the author on two essential points. [...]

[...] Emile or On Education - Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1762) - What is the philosophical force of this writing? Introduction This excerpt is from 'Emile or On Education', a work in which the author Jean Jacques Rousseau studies the theme of moral consciousness. The questions that are addressed and to which the author attempts to provide an answer are as follows: What is the nature and origin of moral consciousness? Is this consciousness inscribed in us congenitally or is it innate? How to apprehend the fact that this voice is parasitized and eclipsed in a being (human)? [...]

[...] This vision of the state of nature can be linked to Adam and Eve, who both represent the origins of humanity and who are two innocent beings evolving in the midst of an ideal nature, the Garden of Eden and more globally of the "age of gold" or the "reign of Saturn" which comes to an end because of the vanity and cupidity of which humans are carriers. However, this vision of mythological and religious order, based on the pre-existence and perenniality of a human nature despite the past evolutions of humanity, seems to have limits if we rely on observations and experiments. The author's theory is based on the fact that moral consciousness is innate and therefore inscribed in our human nature. [...]