... motivated solely by reason arguing that other capacities such as compassion and sympathy were also important. Furthermore, the Enlightenment's belief in the inevitability of progress was rejected by Rousseau who took a pessimistic stance arguing that the development of society had resulted in inequality and immorality amongst men. Rousseau's proposals for an ideal polity contained in 'Du Contrat Social' were unique and original and thus obviously differed from any of the political proposals recommended by Enlightenment thinkers. The following essay will contrast the thought of the Enlightenment and Rousseau with regard to their positions on reason, progress, religion and their political recommendations. However, it cannot be said that Rousseau was completely divorced from Enlightenment thought and therefore, by way of balance, a brief summary of similarities shall also be presented. `The 17th century provided the basis for Enlightenment thought. Locke had rejected the notion that man was subject to innate ideas ...

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