Rousseau: From Natural Freedom Into Social Chains Ep.4 Part 2

In this episode of Timeless Thinkers, we follow Rousseau’s tragic journey from humanity’s original freedom to its enslavement under civilization.

Born free, Rousseau argues, humans once lived peacefully in a state of nature — independent, compassionate, and content. But the invention of property, inequality, and dependence forged our invisible chains.

Civilization gave us progress, luxury, and knowledge — but it also made us slaves to opinion, comparison, and power. We traded simplicity for vanity, peace for competition, and freedom for status.

🎧 In this episode:
• Rousseau’s critique of Hobbes and Locke’s view of the state of nature
• How property and pride created social inequality
• The meaning behind “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains”
• Why progress doesn’t equal moral improvement
• The question that drives The Social Contract: Can we ever be free again?

🎙️ Produced by Timeless Thinkers

📺 Watch the full series:
The Social Contract: How Rousseau Reimagined the People as Sovereign and Invented Modern Democracy → [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeVFwr0ZRxbyckUlh0OXGcHfbmXsZBYI9&si=VzSpCXSNNQA1_7Kr]

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🎧 Timeless Thinkers Studio brings to life the book summaries, ideas, and philosophies of history’s greatest minds — exploring how their wisdom continues to shape our world.

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