Social Contract Theory Of Rousseau

1760 Words4 Pages

Aram Masoumi Philosophy 230 Professor Fleischacker Rousseau Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains (18). It is evident that Rousseau was displeased with the inequalities and oppressions in his current society in the 18th century Europe and his discourses were results of them. Rousseau believed that human beings have the most freedom in the state of nature. He also believed that man is usually a peaceful creature who wants to get along with other humans and avoid conflict. At the same time, there is always going to be that one bad person that has bad intentions. Subsequently, as a result of a possible betrayal, all man’s thinking is that the betrayal can be anyone since no one knows who he is. Therefore, man will be in the state of war and wouldn’t have the most freedom in the state of nature anymore. Rousseau explains freedom in two forms; personal freedom and …show more content…

He doesn 't even talk about how the sovereign is exactly elected. If we assume that this would be happening in a democracy then, the sovereign is going to be elected by the majority vote and not the general will since the general will of all is not the majority but the will of everyone. In this case, how can we guarantee that people are going to agree with each other on the general will one hundred percent? Most likely, people are going to disagree with each other on some matters, but since they have to come up with a general will to represent all, they have to do some compromising. If individuals don’t agree with other’s general wills, they’ll be forced to agree or compromise. This goes against Rousseau’s claim that the general will can never harm? anyone. How’s being forced to agree with something you don’t agree with is not harmful? (Assuming that you know what’s best for

Open Document