Locke and Rousseau have two interesting ways of looking at how we can balance personal freedom with helping each other in society.

Locke’s Thoughts:

• Natural Rights: Locke believes that everyone has basic rights. These include the right to live, to be free, and to own things.
• Social Contract: He talks about a social contract. This means that people agree to create a government. The purpose of this government is to protect their rights. It limits some freedoms but only to keep everyone safe.

So, in Locke’s idea, personal freedoms are very important. However, there is a system in place to help protect those freedoms for all.

Rousseau’s Ideas:

• General Will: Rousseau looks more at our responsibilities to each other. He introduces the idea of the “general will.”
• Community Focus: He believes that real freedom comes when people’s wishes match what the community wants. This means that sometimes individuals have to put their own desires aside for the benefit of everyone.

In short, Locke wants to make sure personal rights are safe, while Rousseau seeks to find a balance where caring for one another helps boost personal freedom. It’s about figuring out how we can be ourselves while also supporting our community.