The Concept of General Will in Rousseau

Abstract

This study examines Rousseau’s concept of general will. According to Rousseau, who takes freedom as a fundamental problem in his works, man in society no longer enjoys the free and equal existence of the state of nature. Rousseau conceived social contract and general will, the main instrument of social contract, to resolve this fundamental problem of freedom. However, Rousseau’s concept of general will has been interpreted by its liberal critics as an instrument of oppression rather than freedom. The major flaw of this widespread view is the failure to situate general will within the totality of Rousseau’s moral and political philosophy. This article aims at correcting this misunderstanding about Rousseau’s concept of general will by discussing its moral and political dimensions

Keywords

• Rousseau, General Will, Social Contract, Freedom, Equality

J.J. ROUSSEAU’DA GENEL İRADE KAVRAMI

Öz

Bu makale Rousseau’nun “genel irade” kavramını incelemektedir. Eserlerinde özgürlüğü temel bir mesele olarak ele alan Rousseau’ya göre, toplum içinde yaşamaya başlaması ile insanoğlu doğa halinin hür ve eşit var oluşunu kaybetmiştir. Rousseau, toplumsal sözleşme ve bunun ana aracı olan genel iradeyi, bu temel özgürlük meselesini halletmek üzere kurgulamıştır. Ancak, Rousseau’nun genel irade kavramı, liberal eleştirmenler tarafından özgürlük değil, bir baskı aracı olarak yorumlanmıştır. Bu yaygın görüşün başlıca hatası, genel iradenin Rousseau’nun ahlak ve siyaset felsefesinin bütününde oturduğu yeri dikkate almamasıdır. Bu makale, Rousseau’nun genel irade kavramına dair bu yanlış anlamayı, bu kavramın ahlaki ve siyasi boyutlarını ele alarak düzeltmeyi amaçlamaktadır

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Rousseau,Genel İrade,Toplumsal Sözleşme,Özgürlük,Eşitlik

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