The Price We Pay

     Rousseau's work is interesting in the manner in which it attempts to convince us that the "natural state" or the life of the savage man is more equal than that of the citizen. Over and above this inherent equality in nature is the idea that the life of the savage is somehow better then the civilized manner in which humans developed. The first point I take issue with is Rousseau's view of equality, and conversely his negative view of inequality that is found within society.
     Rousseau states that, "it follows from this presentation that, since inequality is practically nonexistent in nature, it derives its force and growth from the development of our faculties and the progress of the human mind, and eventually becomes more stable and legitimate through the establishment of property and laws." (p 91). I agree with his proposition that in the state of nature humans are equal and that in the state of society inequality rises from the various institutions of that society. However, it seems rather absurd to assume that the equality in the state of nature coincided with perfect independence of humankind. While we may have independent tendencies we, as humans, we are dependent on one another and structures that encompass more than just ourselves. Thus, if we at one point were capable of true independence then we would see no society since there would be no need for us to leave our state of independence. But we don't see this. We have societies and thus we are dependent on one another. This leads me to inequality.
     Certainly we were more equal in our primitive and savage state, but what did we have to show for it? There would be no development and no organization. We would be like animals living in the wild and would have little to show for our existence. Thus it is necessary that we are dependent on one another for this is the most effective way to advance the human race. This dependence is natural and would not have happened if it was not something natural for the species. Rousseau blames this "perversion" on an accident in which one claimed property and the rest went along. However, if the true state of equality and independence existed no one would go along with this rouge or even have reason to recognize his claim. Thus, dependence and inequality stemming from this dependence naturally developed within the human race. This inequality is the price we pay for being more than animals who live in the trees and the caves, it is this inequality, this evil thing, that allows me to sit here at a computer and type this post while others are down the road making the StarBucks I am about to enjoy. Inequality is the price that we pay for civilization and society. Its roots are natural and stem from the fact that humans have depended on one another from the beginning, for if we ever had a state in which that we not true or not possible there is nothing that could have conspired to drag us out of it. For if we knew true independence, what else could we ever know?