Rousseau’s vs. Confucius’ Freedom Concept Essay

This section compares Jean Jacques Rousseau’s notion with Confucius’ conception of freedom. Rousseau theorizes that the functionality of society is entirely dependent on its commonality and the expression of sovereignty. The philosopher believes that authority is unchallengeable and epitomizes people’s free will without entrustment of any part of their powers to their counterparts. In this sense, the freedom of a person remains unshared amongst other individuals or groups. Similarly, the sovereignty of a distinctive group expresses the wholeness of its free will, but not a part of the group. Rousseau claims that individuals should invest in independent thinking in case they are deprived of their rights to the general will. Rousseau is very particular in the argument that citizens should capitulate whatever offerings they have for the state. However, the philosopher emphasizes that the state should not demand more offerings than what a citizen can freely deliver to the state. The ideology of sovereign powers entails the fulfillment of the common good to persons who share common interests. Consequently, individuals bear the freedom to exercise reserved parts as long as they do not concern matters of commonality within sovereign groups.

Rousseau’s notion compares with Confucius’ conception of freedom since Confucius also believes that space is a requisite for good deeds. Confucianism holds that free will does not constitute ultimate human freedom. According to Johnson, the free will of a person is only a representation of intrinsic mental faculties that facilitate thoughtful determination of choices amongst alternative courses of action (53). Confucianism places more emphasis on the significance of personal autonomy than innate free will. Personal independence is a blend of acquired faculties that individuals achieve through sensible interactions in sovereign societies whilst exercising individualistic thinking and self-expression.

In comparison with Rousseau’s notion of freedom, Confucianism links space with the commonality of individuals who exhibit social interdependency. The attainment of the outright equilibrium between social traits depends on the appropriateness of human socialization, where individuals are presumed rational and initiators of social togetherness. Johnson confirms that Confucius’ notion of freedom is founded on individual absolutism and relativism (54). The theory assumes liberty as a product of competency and accomplishment of self-fulfillment. However, the attainment of absolute personal autonomy is relative to the choice of virtuous characteristics of society. Primarily, the philosophical concepts of Rousseau and Confucius on freedom matters have shaped cultures owing to their emphasis on obedience, egalitarianism, and eccentricity.

Works Cited

Johnson, Carl. “Freedom and Confucianism.” The International Journal of the Asian Philosophical Association 1.2 (2009): 52-61. Print.