Final answer:
John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau discussed freedom in the context of social contract theory, with Locke emphasizing the consent of the governed and Rousseau favoring a government that reflects the general will. Friedrich Nietzsche and Karl Marx also delved into the theme of freedom but from different perspectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of freedom as related to desire has been discussed by several influential philosophers. Perhaps most notably, John Locke articulated that individuals should possess the right to life, liberty, and property as part of a social contract with government. Locke believed that governments exist only with the consent of the governed, with the role of government being to protect these natural rights, rather than for the people to become slaves to the state.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau expressed that "Man is born free, yet he is in chains everywhere," suggesting that although humans are inherently free, societal structures often impede this freedom. Rousseau advocated for a form of government that responds to the 'general will' of the public, embodying the principles of direct democracy.
Friedrich Nietzsche and Karl Marx also contributed to discussions on freedom, though their views diverged from the social contract theorists. Nietzsche explored the concept of freedom in the context of individual will and power dynamics, while Marx examined freedom from an economic perspective, critiquing the limitations that economic structures placed on individual freedom.
It is clear that these philosophers vary in their interpretations of freedom, with their theories providing a spectrum of thought on the balance between individual liberties and societal governance.