The Terrifying Rousseauian Thought

Rousseau presents the modern statesman with two impossible choices: embrace science and power while sacrificing virtue, or reject science and protect virtue at the expense of being conquered by corruption. This dilemma highlights that societies prioritize the acceleration of science over human flourishing. Contrarianism fuels innovation culture but harms social cohesion, while diversity in thought accelerates scientific progress. Immigration may harm community feeling but is vital for attracting top engineering talent. A rational society can reduce individuals to mere particles, yet aligns well with the scientific worldview, posing a terrifying possibility that societies are designed for scientific advancement rather than the well-being of humanity.