Rousseau Heir of Hobbes? Analyzing Human Nature and Political Order in the Interwoven Philosophies of Hobbes and Rousseau

The article addresses the contributions of Hobbes and Rousseau in the construction of models of human sociability, highlighting how both have marked the history of political philosophy with distinct and, in certain aspects, mutually exclusive visions. Hobbes is recognized for his negative view of man and for introducing the modern concept of the State, while Rousseau criticizes Hobbes's anthropological pessimism, emphasizing passive egoism in the state of nature. Traditional political theories fail to fully understand the relationship between Hobbes and Rousseau, especially concerning their views on human nature and the origin of society. This article seeks to clarify these differences and complementarities. The objective of the article is to examine how the ideas of Hobbes and Rousseau intertwine and contrast, providing a deeper understanding of the formation of modern political thought. The methodology used includes a comparative analysis of the works of Hobbes and Rousseau, focusing on their conceptions of human nature, the state of nature, and the formation of the State and society. It is concluded that although Rousseau criticizes Hobbes for his negative view of the state of nature, he also recognizes the importance of the social contract as a means of establishing political order. Rousseau seeks to overcome the arbitrariness present in Hobbes's theory, proposing active participation of the people in lawmaking, emphasizing popular sovereignty and civil liberty. Thus, the article highlights how both philosophers contributed to constructing a political theory that balances authority and freedom.