The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau is considered one of the greatest philosophy books ever written, and its timeless works have shaped our thinking. It was first published in 1762 and has been recommended by both David Heinemeier Hansson and Ryan Holiday as a must-read book for anyone interested in gaining an understanding of humanity’s relationship with government. The main premise behind this work is that humans are born free but become subject to society’s laws when they join a political community. In other words, people voluntarily give up some individual freedom in exchange for protection from others who would otherwise threaten them. This notion forms the basis of modern day democracy, where individuals enter into a social contract whereby they agree to abide by certain rules in order to enjoy collective benefits. Rousseau goes on to argue that governments should be held accountable for their actions and that citizens should have the right to overthrow oppressive regimes if necessary. By doing so, he sought not only to promote liberty but also justice and equality among all members of society. With these ideas firmly entrenched in his text, it’s no wonder why The Social Contract remains one of the most influential works in history today. Moving forward then, let us examine another timeless classic: A Treatise Of Human Nature by David Hume.