(Author’s Full Name)
The Meaning of Freedom and Happiness
For centuries, philosophers and thinkers have pondered over the concepts of freedom, liberty, the “perfect” society and the pursuit of happiness. The notion of freedom is as old as time itself- with the earliest definitions put forward by ancient Greeks and Romans. However, it was not until the 16th Century that a modern Social Contract Theory was put forward that reshaped our understanding of how societies work. Two of the most profound ideals put forward were those by Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Hobbes lived during the English Civil War period when England was engulfed by a massive war between the Monarchists and the Parliamentarians. His philosophy can be divided into two distinct, yet interrelated, concepts: the State of Nature (workings of a state) and the Psychological Egoism (human motivation and intellectual awareness). In Leviathan, Hobbes describes freedom as the complete absence of all natural obstacles. This can best be explained by the flow of a river down a channel because there are no impediments along the way. According to Hobbes, human beings are inherently functioned to follow and pursue their own self-interests and to do whatever they want, within the confines of dependency.
The philosopher further explains the concept of impediment or obstacles. He argues that there is absolutely to an impediment to one’s actions once the will is engaged. This draws a clear distinction between “wanting to do something” (deliberation) and “actually doing something” (will). Hobbes’ focus on freedom is simply a transition from mere deliberation to actual action.
In an ideal world, Hobbes’ views would have some merit. It is interesting to note that his views on liberty are shaped by the Civil War- where he sought to devise a notion that was acceptable to both the ruling elite as well as the democratic Parliamentarians, led by Oliver Cromwell. In this way, his ideals of freedom have little to do with external impediments and are directly influenced by internal factors within all agents.
A more refined theory was presented during the peak of Enlightenment Era in Europe. French writer and composer Rousseau presented his concept of a “free man”. Taking a more pragmatic and practical approach towards freedom, Rousseau’s theory links freedom with state governance and calls for creating a political and social institution that unites all citizens as they continue to remain as free as before. Instead of taking freedom as a “singular” definition, Rousseau distinguishes between the different types of freedoms. The most basic of all freedoms is natural freedom- which refers to a man’s right to pursue anything he tempts. Unlike Hobbes, Rousseau’s concept of freedom takes into account external factors. He argues that when any political system encroaches upon an individual’s freedom, he will (without undue force) give up his freedom in exchange for joining a social contract for a greater good (community). What we get in exchange is another form of freedom called “civil liberty,” whereby all our collective rights are defended by a community (incongruence).
