The Second Discourse

The Second Discourse, written by philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, explores how humans have moved from living naturally to creating societies with laws and governments. Rousseau argues that as people entered complex communities, they lost some of their innate freedom and connection to nature. He discusses the idea of a social contract, where individuals agree to abide by rules that benefit everyone, balancing personal freedom with social order. The discourse examines how societal structures influence human behavior and the importance of justice and equality for a fair and functioning society.