Final answer:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau's philosophy supports the idea of ethical objectivism with a focus on societal good aligning with the general will. Unlike cultural relativism and ethical egoism, Rousseau's views endorse universal moral standards, rejecting the notion that morality is subjective or purely self-serving.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Swiss political philosopher whose ideas influenced the Enlightenment across Europe as well as aspects of the French Revolution. Rousseau's belief system centered on the idea that individuals should surrender personal freedoms for the general good of society, conforming actions to adhere to the general will. Rousseau's views align most closely with the philosophy of ethical objectivism, as he believed in the concept of a collective moral standard arising from the general will that applies to all and results in true freedom and equality.
In contrast to ethical subjectivism (the belief that moral judgments and stances are based on personal feelings and opinions), ethical objectivism asserts that morals are factual and universal. Rousseau diverged from cultural relativism (the idea that moral values are relative to specific cultural contexts) and ethical egoism (the idea that actions are morally right if they serve one's self-interest), instead advocating for the well-being of the whole society above individual interests, which reflects the utilitarian ethos. As such, Rousseau's position reflects a form of moral realism, where certain ethical truths are universal and not merely a product of cultural perspective or individual preference.