The theory of social contract is one of the most important concepts in political philosophy. It proposes that individuals give up some of their freedoms in exchange for protection by the government. The idea dates back to ancient Greece, but it was popularized during the Enlightenment era in the 17th and 18th centuries. The question of who proposed the theory of social contract has long intrigued scholars and historians.
The concept of social contract can be traced back to the ancient Greek philosopher, Plato, who wrote about it in his book, “The Republic.” However, it was the English philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, who is credited with being the first to develop the theory of social contract. In his famous book, “Leviathan,” published in 1651, he argued that individuals living in a state of nature were in a constant state of war with one another.
Hobbes advocated for a strong, centralized government to maintain order and protect people from this state of nature. According to Hobbes, individuals agreed to give up some of their freedoms in exchange for protection by the government. He argued that this social contract was necessary to prevent the chaos and violence that would otherwise ensue in a state of nature.
Another prominent philosopher who contributed to the theory of social contract was Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In his book, “The Social Contract,” published in 1762, Rousseau argued that the social contract was an agreement among free individuals to form a society based on the general will. According to Rousseau, the general will was the collective will of the people, and it represented the common good of the society.
Rousseau`s theory of social contract emphasized the importance of individual freedom and the need for a democratic government that represents the general will of the people. He argued that individuals should have the right to participate in the government and that laws should be made for the benefit of the community as a whole.
In conclusion, while the concept of social contract can be traced back to ancient Greece, it was Thomas Hobbes who is credited with being the first to develop the theory of social contract. Later, Jean-Jacques Rousseau contributed to the theory with his emphasis on individual freedom and the importance of the general will. Both philosophers` ideas have had a significant influence on political philosophy and continue to shape political thought and discourse to this day.