Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Man is Born Free
There is no greater crime than making the unfree believe they are free, just as there is no greater crime than convincing the free that they are not.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in his work "The Social Contract," asserts that man is born free, and this position is foundational in his reflections.
Research comparing stress levels among ancient hunter-gatherers, those who transitioned to agriculture, and modern people opens new horizons in understanding human history and health. There is evidence that life was most favorable for free hunter-gatherers. While the evidence base is not optimal, the idea that life in civilization is not ideal has the right to exist.
When Rousseau says that man is born free, he means that every person by nature and in their original state possesses inner freedom and independence. However, as they grow and integrate into society, this freedom is constrained by social structures and laws.
Is nonexistence the highest measure of freedom or unfreedom? Does birth deprive us of this freedom? The concept of complete nonexistence is beyond our consciousness—we cannot imagine it.
Rousseau argued that true freedom is only possible in a society where all people are equal and bound by common laws. These laws should not suppress individuality but rather promote its development.
Rousseau noted that freedom is inextricably linked to morality and responsibility. True freedom requires self-control and the ability to subordinate one's desires and interests to the common good.
Rousseau emphasized that only in a just society can a person be truly free.
In the event of a conflict between personal and general will, Rousseau asserts that the individual must submit to the general will, as it represents the will of the people and the individual themselves.
In the field of education, Rousseau also had a significant impact. In his work "Emile, or On Education," he emphasizes the importance of developing the child's individuality and educating them according to their natural abilities.
These principles have influenced modern educational approaches, highlighting the importance of developing critical thinking, creativity, and independence in students.
Rousseau believed that the development of civilization limits the freedom and independence of the individual, replacing them with artificial needs and dependencies on others. At the same time, he understood that a return to the original state was impossible, and it was necessary to seek a society that would be closer to natural principles.
Rousseau did not entirely reject religion. He developed the concept of "natural religion" or the "religion of the heart," which was based on personal spiritual experience and an intuitive understanding of the divine. He argued that true religiosity lies in a sense of reverence for nature and deep self-awareness. He believed that each person should seek their path to God based on personal experience and reflection, rather than blindly following church teachings.
One of the key areas of modern interpretation concerns the concept of the social contract and popular sovereignty. In the era of globalization and changing state forms, Rousseau's concepts are applied to analyze and critique modern democratic systems, as well as to search for ways to improve them.
His concept of the general will is also widely discussed. In political theory, researchers analyze how Rousseau's ideas can be applied or adapted to understand modern democracy, especially in the context of social justice.