Who was the philosopher known for the social contract theory?

The philosopher best known for the social contract theory is Jean-Jacques Rousseau. His work, particularly in "The Social Contract," outlines the idea that individuals come together to form a collective that represents the general will, ultimately prioritizing the common good over individual desires. Rousseau believed that legitimate political authority relies on the consent of the governed, and that by entering into a social contract, individuals agree to cooperate for mutual benefit.

His social contract theories significantly influenced later democratic thought and practices, emphasizing freedom, equality, and direct participation in governance. Each individual's commitment to the collective reflects a revolutionary understanding of government as a reflection of the people's will, marking a departure from earlier models of political authority that were often based on divine right or monarchy.

In contrast, while John Locke and Thomas Hobbes also engaged with social contract theories, their concepts differ significantly from Rousseau's. Locke emphasizes individual rights and property in his version of the social contract, and Hobbes has a more pessimistic view that necessitates a strong, centralized authority to keep human instincts in check. David Hume, while a significant philosopher of the Enlightenment, did not center his philosophy on social contract theory in the same way Rousseau did.