Émile by Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a seminal work on education that challenges traditional norms. Rousseau urges mothers to embrace his educational philosophies, allowing children to grow naturally rather than being constrained by societal pressures. He presents a vision where education harmonizes with nature, fostering independent and resilient individuals.

Natural Education

Rousseau suggests education is derived from three sources: nature, other people, and things. He emphasizes that the influences of people and things should be controlled to nurture habits aligned with nature. Children's inherent tendencies should be supported, as nature's ultimate goal is for them to mature into adults. However, traditional practices like swaddling, employing wet nurses, and using punishment disrupt natural behavior and spoil children, he argues.

Role of Family

According to Rousseau, ideal upbringing begins with the mother nursing and the father training the child. Should substitutes be necessary, a wet nurse of good disposition and a young, qualified tutor should be chosen. Rousseau envisions the tutor to embody qualities akin to his own.

The Ideal Pupil

Rousseau introduces an imaginary pupil, Émile, to illustrate his educational model. Émile hails from France, chosen for its temperate climate which Rousseau believes breeds adaptability and intelligence. He should be wealthy, as poverty imparts its own education, and an orphan, granting Rousseau full authority as tutor. The child’s health in both mind and body is paramount.

Diet and Environment

Rousseau advocates a mainly vegetable diet, particularly for nursing mothers, arguing this improves the quality of milk. The tutor is tasked with ensuring the child spends time in the fresh air of the countryside, ideally relocating the family to escape the detrimental effects of urban life.

Natural Vigor and Freedom

The child should grow accustomed to regular baths, avoiding pampering such as warm water that saps natural strength. Rather than imposing rigid routines, children should be free to choose their actions, learning through the natural consequences of minor injuries or illnesses. This approach, Rousseau insists, results in robust, authentic adults.

Curiosity and Fear

Rousseau believes that a "natural man" is intrigued by new experiences, a trait he wishes to cultivate in children. To prevent irrational fears, children should be gradually introduced to potentially frightening experiences in a controlled manner. For instance, he would desensitize Émile to masks and loud noises through careful exposure.

Liberty and Expression

The cries and tears of children are natural expressions of their needs, and as such, should not be suppressed. Education begins at birth, yet children should not dominate the household. They should be encouraged to act independently, learning to speak, read, and write when they find it beneficial, without coercion or threats.

Critique of Conventional Education

Rousseau criticizes conventional education for its excessive restrictions, likening it to "intolerable slavery." He condemns the practices that replace a child's natural mirth with strict discipline and misery, arguing such methods summon "Death." Instead, he promotes a nurturing environment filled with love, laughter, and freedom.

Individual Liberty

Rousseau's educational philosophy stresses liberty for children, allowing them to explore and learn from their actions. Punishments should align with natural consequences, reinforcing the principle that one should "never hurt anybody." He opposes urging children to do good, focusing instead on avoiding harm.

Intellectual and Moral Education

Intellectual education, according to Rousseau, should commence in adolescence. Prior, the focus is on allowing Émile to understand his natural abilities. During this stage, the tutor guides Émile in appreciating intellect by answering questions in accessible language, encouraging independent problem-solving.

Understanding Human Sympathy

In moral education, Rousseau introduces maxims on human sympathy, which underscore moral virtue. These maxims suggest people sympathize with those less fortunate, that empathy...