g free, healthy, honest and happy lives , and felt that man was timid,
             and would always avoid conflict, rather than seek it out .
             Building from this favorable description of the state of nature, why would man
             want to enter into a social contract of any kind? If Rousseau was so fond of the state of
             nature, why would he be advocating any form of social organization? The answer is two
             fold. Firstly, Rousseau recognized that 18th century Europe was indeed very civilized, and
             that it would be impossible for man to shake off these chains and return to a state of
             nature. Secondly, Rousseau felt man in a state of nature was really quite ignorant and
             undeveloped. He says in the Social Contract that they were rather simple, shy, and
             innocent in the state of nature. Therefore for personal growth and self-actualization, man
             must enter into a society with his fellow man. "We begin properly to become men,"
             Rousseau said, "only after we have become citizens"(1) From here, Rousseau embarks on
             his mission, envisioning a society which would embody all of the freedoms man had in the
             state of nature yet one which would allow him to grow intellectually.
             In setting out his Social Contract, Rousseau's purpose is clear: "Find a form of
             association that defends and protects the person and
             ...