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Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Early Life. Born on June 28 th , 1712 in Geneva Moved to Paris in 1742 Early writing - man is essentially good - a “noble savage” when in the “state of nature”

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Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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  1. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

  2. Early Life • Born on June 28th, 1712 in Geneva • Moved to Paris in 1742 • Early writing - man is essentially good - a “noble savage” when in the “state of nature” - good people are made unhappy and corrupt by their experiences in society - society is “artificial” and “corrupt” - the furthering of society results in the continued unhappiness of man - works include: “The Social Contract”, “Èmile” and “The Confessions”

  3. The Social Contract • Political theory, published in 1762 • “Man is born free, and he is everywhere in chains” • All citizens must participate in the “general will” (the common good or public interest) • “Sovereign” – the grouping of all citizens • Private ambitions should not be put first • “Liberty, equality, and fraternity” – products of the “general will”

  4. Émile • Published in 1762 – focussed on education • Divided into five books • Children are naturally good; “innocent, vulnerable, slow to mature”, and are entitled to freedom and happiness • Education must be individualized – “every mind has its own form” • Environment an important aspect in education – the more it could be controlled, the more effective could be the education • The child should remain in complete ignorance of those ideas which are beyond his/her grasp • People should not rely on the authority of the teacher – “discovery learning” • John Darling, 1994 – “Child-Centered Education and its Critics”- argues that the history of child- centred educational theory is a series of footnotes to Rousseau • Controversial work - religion

  5. The Confessions • Wanted to present a self-portrait that is “in every way true to nature” and that hides nothing • Describes his family and recalls his childhood experiences • Revelatory experience at age 11 – beaten by an adored female nanny • Focuses on personal trials, unrequited loves and sexual frustrations • Concludes “The Confessions” in 1765 • Acts as a means of explaining and justifying the views and personality of Rousseau’s adult self • Emphasis is on the effects of childhood experiences on adulthood

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