The Paradoxes of Freedom: Rousseau’s Unresolved Dilemmas | Timeless Thinkers Ep.4 Part 4

In Part 4 of our Rousseau series, we confront the most difficult and controversial dimension of his political philosophy, the paradoxes he could never resolve.

Rousseau argued that humans are “born free,” yet everywhere live in “chains.”
His solution was the Social Contract and the General Will, a system meant to preserve freedom through collective self-rule.

But this vision contains deep contradictions:
• How can the Social Contract require unanimous consent, yet allow majority rule?
• How can obeying the General Will be “freedom” if you disagree with it?
• How can sovereignty belong to the people if they cannot represent it?
• How can equality be a precondition for legitimacy, yet impossible without already legitimate laws?
• Can a large modern nation ever achieve true popular sovereignty?
• Can civil religion create unity without becoming authoritarian?

These unresolved tensions shaped the French Revolution, modern democracy, and even totalitarian regimes claiming to speak for “the people.”

In this episode, we break down these dilemmas clearly, showing both the brilliance and the danger of Rousseau’s political vision.

🎙️ 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.

🎧 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.

🏛️ Produced by: Timeless Thinkers Studio

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