Rousseau

[beavisshakur]

Does anyone know what Rousseau meant when he cliamed: 'Man is forced to be free'?

[heathfield]

Oh dear. It was 'Man was/is born to be free, but is everywhere in chains

Pretty deep stuff concerning mankind reaching for perfection - see here

[beavisshakur]

Yes, I know that the quote you have typed above is an infamous Rousseau quote but it has been promulgated that Rousseau concludes Man if forced to be free!! I think what it means is if one man does not participate on the General WIll then Rousseau says such a man should be forced to, thus he is forced to be free!!!
I think thats what it means, the Link you posted is also invalid so i you could find another way to post it it weould be much appreciated!

[jno]

your quote is correct, and I think your interpretation is too.

[4GS]

Maybe he meant that God gave Man free will, and as He set Man above all creatures He forced us to be free
Just a thought

[fredpuli47]

Wel, yes he did argue that .What he meant by it is summarised and explained concisely here:

http://www.philosopher.org.uk/rom.htm

[MustafaTickl]

It is only possible to be free if we understand reality. If we do not understand reality we are not in a position to make a free judgement, we struggle in vain against that which we do not understand. If an individual does not want to obey the general will then he must be "forced to be free". Imagine a group of people attempting to cross a bridge that is, unknown to them, weak and dangerous. The gatekeeper refuses to let the group pass and they feel that their freedom is being curtailed as they do not have a full understanding of the situation. The gatekeeper is forcing them to be free; if they were not stopped then they may have perished on the weak bridge. Rousseau likens this situation to the person who does not understand why they should obey the general will. To obey what is best for all is to maximise the freedom for each.