J.J. ROUSSEAU’DA GENEL İRADE KAVRAMI

This study examines Rousseau’s concept of general will. According to Rousseau, who takes freedom as a fundamental problem in his works, man in society no longer enjoys the free and equal existence of the state of nature. Rousseau conceived social contract and general will, the main instrument of social contract, to resolve this fundamental problem of freedom. However, Rousseau’s concept of general will has been interpreted by its liberal critics as an instrument of oppression rather than freedom. The major flaw of this widespread view is the failure to situate general will within the totality of Rousseau’s moral and political philosophy. This article aims at correcting this misunderstanding about Rousseau’s concept of general will by discussing its moral and political dimensions