PHI 2183 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Civil Religion, Social Contract, Age Of Enlightenment
5 Apr 2016
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If a public, communal will were to occur: no interest groups/factions. It matters, then, in order to have the general will expressed: Each citizen speak only his own opinions: equality: No one is absolutely dependent on anyone else. Law is universal, applying to all equallty. Whoever refuses to obey the general will shall be constrained to do so by the whole body, which means nothing else than that he shall be forced to be free (book 1, chapter 7) An implied distinction? (isaiah berlin, two concepts of liberty 1958) Freedom from = not being coerced, interfered with. Free if left alone by others and government. Positive liberty/freedom: freedom to do what you (would) rationally do. Freedom to do what is truly in your best interest. Can require aid/resources by others or government. He also says to be careful about positive liberty. It"s a recipe for an overpowered government. Not just people coming together and expressing their views and desires.
