Jean-Jacques Rousseau:

social contract theory

Realize that “All Actions Have Consequences”
Rousseau is one of the most famous and influential
philosophers of the French Enlightenment in the 18th
century. In his book “The Social Contract” he
elaborated his theory of human nature.
His interpretation of social contract differs with that
of Thomas Hobbes:
With social
contract, there will
be an absolute
monarchy over the
citizens.

With social contract,

there will be
absolute democracy
and individualism
among the people.
The state of nature, where man is
free and independent.

Society, in which man is oppressed

and dependent on others

The state under the Social Contract,

in which, ironically, man becomes free
through obligation; he is only
independent through dependence on
law.
 The Social Contract

The problem is to find a form of association which will

defend and protect with the whole common force the
person and goods of each associate, and in which
each, while uniting himself with all, may still obey
himself alone, and remain as free as before
 The Social Contract
Men are thus all subject to what Rousseau names
volonté générale or the general will.

general will – individuals should surrender their

individual desires and work towards what’s best for
the society as a whole
 The Social Contract
Political authority is not to be based on force, as the
use of force can never be right

Man has no innate sociability, which means society is

not a natural occurrence; but if he decides to, he has
the potential to enter into a relationship with his
fellows.
“Man was born free, and
everywhere he is in
chains.”