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"to discover the rules of society that are best suited to nations, there would need to exist a superior intelligence, who could understand the passions of men without feeling any of them, who had no affinity with our nature but knew it to the full, whose happiness was independent of ours, but who would be content to wait in the fullness of time for
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-Jean Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract
"to discover the rules of society that are best suited to nations, there would need to exist a superior intelligence, who could understand the passions of men without feeling any of them…”
in order to figure out what is best for society, there needs to be a superior entity, be it a person, small elite group of citizens, government etc. that knows what it is that motivates the people but at the same time, not feel that same drive.
At the same time, this divinely inspired entity, while being above anything that would influence most people, would make sure to never lose sight of what those sentiments are and why people feel that way.
“…who had no affinity with our nature but knew it to the full, whose happiness was independent of ours, but who would be content to wait in the fullness of time for a distant glory and to labour in one age to enjoy the fruits in another.”
The authority’s aims and goals are not tied to that of the people because it is in our nature to act with our own desires, rather than follow what would be good for everyone.
What makes one superior is their ability to defy their nature. Because of this, the superior being is now able to work for the general will, making decisions that prosper in the long run rather than work toward the immediate satisfaction that the people might prefer at the expense of the general will. the choices made might not be popular among the people because they may lack a positive immediate affect. However, long term success and security is achieved by pursuing the general will, and outweighs instant satisfaction of the people.
It is important to state specifically that the general will is catered to only by actions that will benefit society as a whole. This is not to be confused with a collection of individual wills or even a majority rule, because a collection of individual wills reflects the needs of parts within a society and ignore others. This is the fundamental flaw in a democracy according to Rousseau. Classes are created and equality disappears. In order for a classless society to exist, there can be no other agenda except that which would benefit all citizens.
Because this entity understands the mindset and passions of the people, yet in itself is not subject to the same emotional whims that force it to act solely for the here and now, they alone can discern what the general will really is and can work to attain that end. One would have to be divinely inspired to defy human nature in order really be free. “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains” What imprisons us is our natural desire to own property. Hence, “Gods would be needed to give men laws." One would have to be divinely inspired to defy human nature for society’s sake in order for it to really be free.
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