Rousseau

State of Nature

The hypothetical condition in which humans lived before the establishment of society, characterized by freedom, equality, and simplicity

Natural Freedom

The freedom humans possess in the state of nature, unconstrained by laws or social institutions

Civil Freedom

The freedom individuals gain under legitimate social contracts, combining obedience to the general will with moral autonomy

Social Contract

The agreement by which individuals collectively submit to the general will to secure liberty and equality

General Will

The collective will aiming at the common good, which binds all members of society morally and politically

Sovereignty

The authority of the people acting through the general will, which cannot be alienated or divided

Legitimate Authority

Political authority that derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed and alignment with the general will

Amour de Soi

Natural self-love that promotes self-preservation without comparison to others

Amour Propre

Socially conditioned self-love that depends on the opinions of others, often leading to competition and corruption

Inequality

The distinction between natural inequality (differences in strength or talent) and moral/political inequality (arising from social institutions)

Corruption

The moral degradation caused by society, particularly through dependence on others’ approval and private property

Education (Émile)

The cultivation of natural capacities and moral development through experience rather than rote instruction

Property

A source of social conflict in Rousseau’s view, marking the transition from natural equality to social inequality

Freedom as Obedience

The idea that true freedom is found in obeying laws one prescribes to oneself through the general will

Amendment of Laws

Laws should reflect the general will and be adapted to the people’s evolving moral and social capacities

Perfectibility

The uniquely human capacity to improve, learn, and adapt, which enables both civilization and moral progress

Citizen

An individual who participates in the political community and is bound by, as well as author of, the general will

Legislation

The process by which the sovereign expresses the general will in binding laws

Consent

The explicit or tacit agreement of individuals to submit to the general will, legitimizing political authority

Natural Man

The idealized human in the state of nature, free, equal, and uncorrupted by society

Civil Religion

A set of shared civic beliefs that unite citizens morally and politically, distinct from organized religion