Rousseau: A Life of Self-Taught Genius

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Questions and Answers

In which year was Rousseau born?

1712 (correct)

1722

1732

1702

What was Rousseau's occupation before becoming a philosopher?

Professor at the University of Paris

Philosopher immediately

Saddler like his father

Tutor to sons of noblemen (correct)

What is the title of Rousseau's influential work on developmental psychology?

On Education

Emile' (correct)

The Social Contract

Discourse on Inequality

Why was Rousseau's work 'Emile'' criticized by the Paris Theology Faculty?

It challenged traditional education systems Signup and view all the answers

According to Rousseau, what should education direct children towards?

Goodness and moral virtue Signup and view all the answers

What is Rousseau's view on human nature?

We do not know what our nature permits us to be Signup and view all the answers

In 'Emile'', how is the child educated?

By a tutor in isolation from society and family Signup and view all the answers

What impact did 'Emile'' have on the focus of education?

It shifted the focus from teacher to student Signup and view all the answers

What did Rousseau believe was the best teacher?

Nature Signup and view all the answers

Why did Rousseau think women's education should be relative to men?

To please and be useful to them Signup and view all the answers

What bodily training did Rousseau think women should receive?

Training for physical charm and to produce healthy offspring Signup and view all the answers

What skills did Rousseau think women should be taught?

Sewing, embroidery, and lace-work Signup and view all the answers

What trait did Rousseau think women should be taught?

Obedience and industriousness Signup and view all the answers

Where did Rousseau discuss women's education in his work?

At the very end of Emile Signup and view all the answers

What is the most fundamental meaning of nature according to Rousseau?

Social significance Signup and view all the answers

What should education be guided by, according to Rousseau?

Laws of children's own nature Signup and view all the answers

What does Rousseau mean by 'natural person'?

A person who is influenced by both nature and nurture Signup and view all the answers

What should be the basis of human action, according to Rousseau?

Instinctive judgments, primitive emotions, and natural instincts Signup and view all the answers

What kind of habits should a child be allowed to develop, according to Rousseau?

No habit whatsoever Signup and view all the answers

What kind of environment should education be imparted in, according to Rousseau?

Natural surroundings Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between nature and society, according to Rousseau?

Society must bow down to the nature of people Signup and view all the answers

What should be discovered through investigation, according to Rousseau?

Laws of children's own nature Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rousseau: Introduction

Rousseau was born in Geneva in 1712 and died in 1778.
He came from a middle-class family, and his father was a saddler.
Despite receiving little formal education, he was a self-taught genius of the Age of Enlightenment.
He tutored sons of noblemen and wrote the influential work "Emile", which brought him fame but also led to his banishment by the Paris Theology Faculty.

Rousseau: Philosophy

Rousseau believed in living in harmony with nature and that education should direct children towards goodness.
He emphasized the importance of focusing on the nature of the child in the educational process.
According to Rousseau, children should be treated as children and not educated like grown-ups.

Rousseau: Emile'

"Emile'" is a fictitious account of an educational experiment on a young child, describing education suitable for Rousseau's ideal society.
The work made a significant contribution to shifting the focus from teacher to student.
"Emile'" promoted a feeling for childhood, which eventually led to the concept of the nuclear family.
Rousseau opposed the overindulgence of children by parents, which he believed hindered their development.

Rousseau's Threefold Meaning of Nature

The first and fundamental meaning of nature is the social one, which emphasizes the importance of understanding the true nature of the person.
Education must be guided by the laws of children's own nature, and society must bow down to it.
A natural person is not a savage one, and when interacting with others, their nature is influenced by nurture.

Psychological Significance

Nature is defined as instinctive judgments, primitive emotions, and natural instincts of humans.
Human actions should be based on these instincts, emotions, and judgments.
To understand these, one must delve into the psychology behind them.
Psychological nature is more significant than social interactions.

Development of Habits

A child should not develop habits born of social interactions, but rather adhere to instinct and emotions.
The only habit a child should be allowed to develop is 'no habit whatsoever'.

Phenomenal or Physical Significance

Education should be imparted in natural surroundings for a fuller and deeper impact on students.
Rousseau believed that nature is the best teacher, and cities are the graves of civilizations.

Rousseau's Views on Women Education

Rousseau discusses women's education at the end of Emile'.
He believes that the man that Emile' has become after being educated needs an educated wife.
Education for women should be relative to men, aiming to please them and be useful to them.
Women should be given adequate bodily training for physical charm and producing vigorous offspring.
They should be taught domestic skills, obedience, and industriousness, as well as singing, dancing, and other traits.

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Description

Explore the life of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a self-taught philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment. Learn about his humble beginnings, his influential work 'Emile', and his rise to fame.