Romanticism is a philosophical and artistic movement that emerged in the late 18th century, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the sublime. Key ideas include:

1. Emotion over Reason: Prioritizes feelings, intuition, and imagination over rationalism and logic.
2. Nature: Reveres nature as a source of beauty, inspiration, and spiritual renewal.
3. Individualism: Celebrates personal freedom, self-expression, and the uniqueness of the individual.
4. The Sublime: Focuses on awe-inspiring, overwhelming experiences that transcend ordinary reality.
5. Critique of Industrialization: Often critiques the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and urbanization.

Thinkers like Rousseau and poets like Wordsworth and Shelley exemplify Romantic ideals.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778) was a key Enlightenment thinker whose ideas deeply influenced Romanticism. His philosophy emphasized:

1. Natural Goodness: Humans are inherently good but corrupted by society and institutions.
2. Social Contract: Legitimate political authority arises from a collective agreement, not force or hierarchy.
3. Emotion and Intuition: Valued feelings and personal experience over cold rationality.
4. Critique of Civilization: Argued that progress and modernity often alienate individuals from their true nature.

Rousseau’s focus on emotion, nature, and individualism made him a precursor to Romanticism. Works like Emile and The Social Contract reflect these themes.

Other thinkers who have explored the concept of natural goodness include:

1. John Locke: Argued that humans are born as “blank slates” (tabula rasa) and are shaped by experience, implying a neutral or potentially good starting point.
2. Thomas Hobbes: Contrastingly, Hobbes believed humans are naturally self-interested and competitive, but his work sparked debates about human nature.
3. Confucius: Emphasized innate moral potential and the importance of cultivating virtue.
4. Jean-Jacques Rousseau: As mentioned, he strongly advocated for the inherent goodness of humans, corrupted by society.
5. Henry David Thoreau: Influenced by Romanticism, he believed in the purity of nature and the potential for humans to live harmoniously within it.

These thinkers offer varying perspectives on natural goodness, often reflecting their broader philosophical or cultural contexts.

Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) viewed the state of nature as a pre-political condition where humans live without government or laws. He famously described it as “nasty, brutish, and short,” characterized by:

1. Self-Interest: Humans are driven by survival instincts and self-preservation.
2. Competition: Scarcity of resources leads to conflict and a “war of all against all.”
3. Fear and Insecurity: Without authority, life is marked by constant fear and chaos.

Hobbes argued that to escape this state, individuals form a social contract, surrendering some freedoms to a sovereign authority in exchange for security and order. This contrasts sharply with Rousseau’s more optimistic view of natural goodness.