Rousseau, Jean-Jacques (1712–78)

Abstract

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, ‘citoyen de Geneve,’ lived a life of constant unrest. Having been part of the Parisian circles of Enlightenment for a short time, he became the successful outsider who wrote for a European public. In 1761–62, he published the three essential works that have continued to influence literature, philosophy, economy, sociology, and education into the twenty-first century. Rousseau delivered provocative ideas, which contradicted the mainstream. His thinking is paradoxical in a very attractive way. In education the basic concept of ‘natural’ and ‘negative education’ was considered to be the theory putting not religion or society but the child and its development in the center of respect. Rousseau influenced almost every reform movement in education, as well as eminent writers such as Jean Piaget and Maria Montessori. The progressive education of the twentieth century confirmed Rousseau's child centeredness and made it popular, although Rousseau, in his time, had no real impact on professional education and the development of schooling. His ideas were used by those interested in alternative education and society, and this was made possible by the strict dualism in Rousseau's thinking. Nature stands against society, and natural education was the opposite of artificial teaching, which used books instead of experience. Rousseau's language is at the same time elegant and sentimental, and together with his ideas explains his lasting influence.