In The Social Contract By Sartre And Rousseau

Sartre and Rousseau define freedom differently. But both think, although; for different reasoning that humans have no choice, but to live in a state of freedom. Rousseau believes freedom means being able to be oneself, and to not be restrained or forced to conform. He thinks humans should be forced to be free; meaning they are only allowed to live in a state of freedom. Rousseau came to this conclusion based on his observations of the French Enlightenment; which he saw as a time where people lost their freedom. He concluded that without freedom one cannot trust another, and form alliances ; without this ability Rousseau believes humans would perish. Additionally, Rousseau thinks there should be a democratic government. Such as the social contract,
that still allows people their freedom, while leaving them feeling secure. In the Social Contract, one gives up their rights to all, in return for security.
If the contract is violated, people regain their freedoms. Sartre, however, thinks that freedom means a person is able to define themselves through their decisions. Sartre believes that people are condemned to be free; as he thinks existence precedes essence. That is to say that one's decisions determine who they are going to be, and not a God. If our freedom comes in being able to make decisions, one cannot not be free; because one cannot avoid making decisions. If existence precedes essence, this means there is no God; this means there is no such things as human nature. This leads Sartre to say that one's actions, whatever they may be, tells others that they too should act like them. Sartre recognizes, that having this much moral responsibility can lead to one feeling anguished and
forlorn.

Rousseau defines freedom as people being able to trust one another, and be one’s self. To not be placed under restraints, and be forced to conform to the “same mould” as others (Rousseau 189). Rousseau believes that humans must be forced to be free; this means that people are forced to live in a state of freedom. Otherwise, he believes the human race would perish. Rousseau has come to this conclusion, based on his observations of the French Enlightenment, which he sees as a movement where people lost their freedom. During the French Enlightenment, humans no longer were their true selves, but instead liars under “perpetual restraint” (Rousseau 190). The only time a person could see who a person truly was during a “critical and pressing occasion; that is, til it's too late” (Rousseau 190). It is because one cannot trust one another, and subsequently build mutually beneficial relationships that Rousseau thinks humans would perish if they did not live in freedom.
Furthermore, Rousseau thinks there should be some form of a government; because it would provide people with a sense of security. Rousseau believes that it is possible to maintain full freedom and have a democratic government; as it is run by the people for the people. One form of a democratic government, Rousseau came up with is the social contract. Under the social contract to gain security and create allies one gives up their rights up to others. As everyone gives up their rights, one loses nothing, and gains more power to protect themselves (Rousseau 191). It must be noted, that if anyone were to violate the social contract, it would be voided and people would be awarded their original freedoms. The social contract is considered a democracy; because “in its passive role it called the state [and] when it plays an active role it is called a sovereign” (Rousseau 191).

Sartre defines freedom as, one being able to through their decisions will themselves to be who they wish. He thinks that people are condemned to be free; meaning it is only possible for one to live in freedom. Sartre thinks this based on the idea that existence precedes essence; meaning one is not born predetermined in who they are going to be. Rather, they are born undefined, and it is through one's choices that a person is defined. Living in freedom is therefore inevitable as making decisions is unavoidable, because even by not making a decision one is making a decision. If existence precedes essence, there is no God; if there is no God there is no human nature. This means one has to develop their own moral code. According to Sartre, one's actions tell those around them what they should be, so they should be weary of their actions. Sartre points out that here are those who opt to follow doctrines such as, the Ten Commandments; Sartre simply says that is just someone trying to avoid moral responsibility.
Although, Sartre thinks it is a positive thing to be able to define oneself, he does recognize that this responsibility can burden one with feelings of anguish, forlornness and the weight of moral responsbility.One feels anguish because he “cannot help ease the feeling of his total and deep responsibility” (Sartre 252).
One feels forlorn because if god is nonexistent nothing is guaranteed neither good nor bad “everything is permissible” (Sartre 253). A person feels morally responsible; because one can no longer blame their behavior on“biological or psychological determinism” (Sartre 254). For instance, if someone is a coward, they are responsible for being a coward. Many would like to think “a coward or hero is born that way” because it is a simpler explanation of behavior, and one does not have to take responsibility for their actions (Sartre
254).
In conclusion, Rousseau believes humans should be forced to be free, and Sartre thinks that people are condemned to be free. Rousseau defines freedom as being able to openly be oneself. He thinks that being free is essential to people's survival. Rousseau makes this conclusion based on his observation of the French Enlightenment. He believes people lost their freedoms and so could no longer trust, or work with another, without theses abilities he concluded the humans would not survive living if there was not freedom. Sartre defines freedom as being able to through Rousseau also thinks there should be a democratic government such as the social government as it gives people the feeling of security while allowing them to still be free. One's decisions defines them Sartre believes people are condemned to be free, meaning people are naturally free. This is as a result of the idea that the existence of a human precedes their essence, they through decisions define themselves they are not predetermined by a God. Sartre notes that one has the responsibility to through their actions tell others to act, this leads people to feeling forlorn. He also notes that if there is no human nature this leads to anguish.