Which philosopher argued for the social contract theory?

The correct answer is that both Hobbes and Rousseau argued for social contract theory, which is significant in the study of political philosophy.

Hobbes is known for his work "Leviathan," where he describes the social contract as an agreement among individuals to create a strong authoritarian state to ensure peace and prevent the chaos he believed would exist in a state of nature. For Hobbes, individuals give up some of their freedoms and rights in exchange for security and order provided by a sovereign authority.

On the other hand, Rousseau presented a different perspective on the social contract in his work "The Social Contract." He argued that the ideal social contract should reflect the collective will of the people, which he termed the "general will." Rousseau believed that legitimate political authority comes from the agreement and consent of the governed, emphasizing democracy and individual freedoms, in contrast to Hobbes's focus on authority.

The combination of Hobbes's and Rousseau's theories illustrates the evolution of political thought regarding government and individual rights, making the assertion that both philosophers contributed to social contract theory accurate.