Rousseau and Kant's Moral Philosophy

Rousseau's ideas have influenced almost all the great philosophers after him, but scholars agree that his greatest and most important influence can be seen in Kant's works. Kant is influenced by Rousseau's ideas in his moral philosophy, political and social philosophy, and also his critique of metaphysics. Kant's conception of human nature, as well as the concept of autonomous will which is one of the important foundations of Kant's ethics are rooted in Rousseau's idea of the public will in his book social contract. Rousseau not only influenced the content of Kant's moral thought, but his influence can be seen even in the language and style of Kant's writing. Rousseau's works convinced Kant that metaphysics is potentially hostile to practical ethics, and where reason could not work, it would be better to allow metaphysics to follow practical needs. Rousseau's statements in Emile as well as in The New Heloise also played a role in shaping Kant's moral thought. In the present article, we examine Rousseau's place in the development of Kantian ethics.