Society and civilization have corrupted natural man "the noble savage," and have brought about inequalities. If we terminate these societies and civilizations and return to our natural state, we will return to nature and natural happiness. Rousseau proposes to 4.-
             explain the origin of moral and political inequality. Humans in the state of nature are free and equal. There is no dependence and there is no oppression.
             There are two types of inequality. The first one being natural or physical, and the second moral or political inequality. The former refers to "difference of age, health, bodily strength and the qualities of the mind or of the soul."(1996, p.4) The latter depends upon "the authorized consent of men."(1996, p.4) This means that some individuals have a higher social position than others. As a result of these two convictions, and because Rousseau seeks to honor truth for the sake of humanity, he believes in the necessity of returning to nature. "...in nature which never lies. All that comes from her will be true; nor will you meet with anything false..."(1996, p.5)
             Rousseau believed that "The happiest and most stable epoch of humanity" was comprised of self-love, mutual cooperation, and language settlements. Natural man had very few wants and needs. These were easily satisfied by nature. He took shelter under the oak tree, ate from its fruits, and drank from the nearby stream. Because his needs were mainly physical they were easily satisfied.
             Set a bear or wolf, against a robust, agile, and resolute savage, as they all are, armed with stones and a good cudgel and you will see that the danger will be at least on both sides, and that after a few trials on this kind, wild beasts which are not fond of attacking each other will not be at all ready to attack man whom they have found to be as wild and ferocious as themselves. (1996, p.7)
             Primitive man is healthy. When ...