What does Rousseau mean when he says...?

Question

nature alone does everything in the operations of an animal, whereas man contributes, as a free agent, to his own operations

von: your cynicism is unnecessary. Take your arrogance out of your butt and enlighten people for once.

Answer 1

I think Rousseau means that the animal acts on instinct, therefore, nature does everything in its operation. To under stand this better we can compare the human behavior with animal.The animal does not plan for future: lives only for its biological requirements such as hunger, sex and climate.In case of human being, the power of reasoning, although manifestation of nature, helps him to contribute as a free agent, to his own development, growth and destruction.

Answer 2

My interpretation is that when nature is left to its own devices, without being disturbed by man, things happen as they would in the wild (of course), with everything working in harmony and animals fending for themselves, only concerned with survival. It's also kind of like the "state of nature" where there are no laws, meaning, if one animal kills another, it's not a murder, just a necessary tool for survival.. and other things like that.
The second part is about how when man comes in, civilization starts and laws come into existence, disturbing the flow of the state of nature.
I hope that made sense.

Answer 3

The spirit of what he meant is most certainly extinguished by your robotic repetition of the same.