Thomas Jefferson Claim Of Civil Freedom

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When a person agrees to a social compact, they alienate themselves from their rights and in return gain civil freedom. Civil freedom is the liberty to only follow the laws that you yourself are the author of as a member of the general will. The laws created by the general will ensure the freedom and equality of every member of the state, being a member of the general will is an inalienable right, and makes the social contract legitimate. The civil freedom that is gained from being a member of civil society is worth the burdens of citizenship such as being forced to be free, having to fight in war, or punishment sanctioned by the state because of the enlightenment and security that is gained from being a member of the social contract. In order …show more content…
Before a person enters into civil society, they are within the state of nature. Within this state, there is not peace, but there is also no war. In the state of nature, it is hard to exercise your natural freedom because of the instability caused by human instincts like self-preservation. When a person transitions out of the state of nature and into civil society “he gains such great advantages from it - his faculties exercised and developed, his ideas enlarged, his feelings entailed, his entire soul greatly elevated” (176). He transitions from a state of distrust into a state of security, that allows him to gain intelligence and rationality, though in this society a citizen is forced to follow the social contract they gain intelligence and morality. They transition from creatures of nature to enlightened citizens who participate in society and create laws through the general will for the common good; and from this live in a state of freedom and equality. As a member of the general will, a citizen will live in a society that prevents unlawful acts of violence and promotes wealth

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