We can learn of Rousseau's views on human nature from his Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men (Discours sur l'origine et les fondements de l'inégalité parmi les hommes), also commonly known as the"Second Discourse" (1754,1755).
The first part deals with man's relationship with Nature and his natural state. Rousseau's main argument is that the main cause for all of mankind's problem is not 'sin' but his separation from 'Nature.' He believed that Nature has always been kind to man and only when he separates himself from Nature that he degenerates both physically and morally. This is in direct contrast to Hobbes' views that man is fundamentally corrupt.
In the second part of the essay Rousseau states that man became more and more corrupt and degenerate as he became a 'social animal.' The root cause for all of man's social problems is ownership of property. He concurs with John Locke's statement “There can be no injury, where there is no property.” From this vice spring all the other vices like selfishness, greed, pride, etc.
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