What key concept did Rousseau advocate in his philosophy?

Rousseau's philosophy is fundamentally centered around the concept of the social contract, which emphasizes that individuals can achieve true freedom by collectively agreeing to form a society governed by mutual interests. He believed that through the social contract, individuals surrender some of their freedoms to the community in exchange for protection and the benefits of social living. This arrangement is meant to ensure that the collective will of the people, or the "general will," guides societal decisions, thus allowing for individual freedom while fostering a sense of belonging and responsibility within the community.

Rousseau's view posits that legitimate political authority arises from the consent of the governed, which distinguishes his thought from absolutist notions where authority is centralized and dictated by a ruler without input from the populace. His advocacy for individual freedoms through the framework of social contracts was revolutionary, emphasizing democratic principles and the role of citizenship in shaping governance. This approach has profoundly influenced modern political thought, particularly in democratic theories.

Other options, while they may contain elements of Rousseau's thoughts, do not encapsulate his core philosophy as effectively. For instance, while universal access to education is important to Rousseau, it is not as central to his argument about individual freedoms. Similarly, the importance of emotions in governance does play a role in