Jean-jacques rousseau philosophy

Jean-jacques rousseau child development theory
Rousseau state of nature
Rousseau philosophy of education summary

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Jean Jacques Rousseau

1. Life

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born in the independent Calvinist city-state of Geneva in 1712, the son of Isaac Rousseau, a watchmaker, and Suzanne Bernard. Rousseau’s mother died nine days after his birth, so Rousseau was raised and educated by his father until the age of ten. Isaac Rousseau was one of the small minority of Geneva’s residents who enjoyed the rank of citizen of Geneva, and was therefore a member of the city’s nominally sovereign assembly. Jean-Jacques was to inherit this status. According to his own subsequent accounts, the haphazard education that he received from his father included both the inculcation of republican patriotism and the reading of historians of ancient republicanism, such as Plutarch. After his father fled this city to avoid arrest, Jean-Jacques was put in the care of a pastor at nearby Bossey and subsequently apprenticed to an engraver. Rousseau left Geneva at the age of sixteen and came under the influence of a Roman Catholic convert noblewoman, Françoise-Louise de la Tour, Baronne de Warens.

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A Comprehensive Guide to Rousseau for Early Years Professionals and Students

The pressure for early academic achievement grows stronger each year. Government targets tighten, parent expectations increase and children face mounting stress to perform. Yet over 250 years ago, Jean-Jacques Rousseau warned against exactly these dangers to childhood.

His revolutionary idea – that childhood represents a distinct and valuable period requiring protection and appropriate support – remains strikingly relevant today. Viewing his theories with a contemporary eye still provides interesting insights into his core principles about natural development and experiential learning.

Key Insights for Practice:

Understanding developmental stages
Creating natural learning environments
Supporting child-led exploration
Protecting childhood’s unique nature

For Early Years practitioners, Rousseau’s work offers practical guidance for balancing developmental needs with modern requirements. His influence extends from Forest Schools to play-based learning approaches, demonstrat

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Browse History

Jean Jacques Rousseau was an 18th century philosopher and educator who had tremendous influence not only on the thinking, politics, and educational practices of his times but for a century following his death. His ideas laid the foundation to late 18th and early 19th century romanticism.

Rousseau believed that the so called progress in the arts and sciences created by enlightenment writers and thinkers led people away from leading the virtuous life. He linked cultural progress with moral decadence. In contrast to the Christian doctrine of original sin, Rousseau argued that it was the institutions of society that corrupted humans. He felt that society resulted in selfishness, weakness, and arrogance.

Although he critiqued his philosopher colleagues, those who were part of the 18th century enlightenment movement, Rousseau was influenced by their thinking. He subscribed to the philosophical principles developed by John Locke, was a deist, and was committed to religious and political tolerance and equality.

Rousseau's ideas about education have profoundly influence