O falso e o verdadeiro Contrato em Rousseau

Abstract

This work seeks to elucidate issues concerning the difficulty of implementing a fair meritocracy in a society full of power and wealth inequalities. To do so, the concepts of inequality in Rousseau's works will be explored, along with his propositions for reducing it. The interpretative method will be used to analyze two of the philosopher's main works: "Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Among Men" and "The Social Contract," with support from the book "How to Read Jean-Jacques Rousseau" by Almeida Júnior, which will shed light on the interpretation of these works. The analysis of the texts will explore Rousseau's reflection on the natural man with the aim of unlinking the understanding of naturalness or convenience from social inequality. Next, the path towards a possible reduction of inequality through the social contract will be examined, considering equality as the fundamental basis for the attainment of each citizen's freedom. Thus, this study shows that, according to one of the most important philosophers for the development of democracy, inequality was generated by unplanned events that moved man away from his nature, which can be idealized as benevolent, altruistic, and averse to violence. Even though these characteristics may be difficult to see in man as a social being, the philosopher aimed to lay the foundations for the steps through which a society should be guided to preserve, as much as possible, these good attributes of human nature. Therefore, the reflection is proposed on the difficulty of applying an idea of fair rewards, or rewards proportional to each citizen's effort in unequal societies. In an environment where there is neither equality nor freedom, there will certainly be a recurring situation where one gains a lot by making little effort, and another gains little - or nothing - despite making great effort.