Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Start Free Trial

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Biography

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was one of the most influential of the Enlightenment philosophers. Born in Geneva in 1712, he spent much of his adult life in Paris, where he became involved with the philosophes of the Enlightenment and began to write his own philosophical works. Rousseau is best known for The Social Contract in which he states that society and government are really a “contract” between men. Thus no government truly has a right to rule without the agreement of those who are ruled. This was a revolutionary thought in an age when kings claimed they ruled by divine right. Rousseau’s writings were quoted by French revolutionaries and greatly influenced the thought of Karl Marx.

Facts and Trivia

  • Rousseau believed in the “noble savage.” He did not think the study of the arts and sciences had been good for mankind because they took us away from our more natural settings.
  • Rousseau also made lasting contributions to educational theory, which he presented in his novel Emile. The book demonstrates three stages of learning and posits that the goal of education should be righteous living.
  • Even though Rousseau wrote about the education of children, he never raised any of his own. Having lost his mother at birth and having been abandoned by his father at the age of ten, Rousseau did not believe he would make a good parent. He and his longtime companion, Therese Levasseur, had five children but abandoned them all to an orphanage.
  • When Rousseau first moved to Paris it was to study music, and for much of his life he actually made his living writing and teaching music. He even developed and published his own style of musical notation.
  • Rousseau decided to write after he saw an essay contest offered on a topic he knew well: the effect of the arts and sciences on the morals of mankind. “All at once,” Rousseau recounted, “I felt myself dazzled by a thousand sparkling lights; crowds of vivid ideas thronged into my head with a force and confusion that threw me into unspeakable agitation; I felt my head whirling in a giddiness like that of intoxication.” Rousseau wrote his essay, won the contest and, at the age of 38, began his writing career in earnest.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Study Tools

Ask a question Start an essay

Biography

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a seminal figure who played a pivotal role in transitioning Western society from rigid hierarchies to democratic ideals that prioritize individual dignity and fulfillment. His thoughts and writings stirred significant changes, challenging despotism and advocating for personal freedom. His influence was deeply felt across political philosophies and educational reforms, laying a foundation for modern democratic societies.

Formative Years

Born in the independent Protestant city of Geneva, Jean-Jacques Rousseau was raised by his watchmaker father, Isaac, after his mother, Suzanne Bernard, passed away shortly after his birth. Rousseau and his father shared a deep love for romantic literature, which fueled his imaginative and emotional nature. This literary passion often kept them awake as they indulged in romantic tales, complemented by Rousseau's readings of Plutarch and Montaigne, broadening his intellectual horizons.

Rousseau's childhood took a dramatic turn when his father fled Geneva to avoid imprisonment after injuring an ex-military officer during an altercation in 1722. Placed under the care of a maternal uncle, Rousseau soon found himself living with the Lambercier family in Bossey, a village near Geneva. These years were marked by relative freedom and happiness until he later endured a brief, unpleasant stint working for a district registrar, followed by a demanding apprenticeship with an engraver.

During his apprenticeship, Rousseau's rebellious nature surfaced, leading to petty thefts and other misconducts that were met with physical punishment. However, these disciplinary measures only deepened his disdain for authority. In 1728, at the age of sixteen, Rousseau abandoned his apprenticeship, leaving behind Geneva and setting off on a journey that would shape his future.

An Enlightening Journey

Rousseau's path led him to Madame de Warens, a woman who would become a significant influence and love in his life. She provided him with refuge and guidance, sending him to a Turin monastery, where he converted to Catholicism as a practical choice. Afterward, Rousseau returned to Madame de Warens, who engaged him in light duties as her record keeper, allowing him time to read extensively and explore various fields of knowledge.

Despite a failed attempt to conduct a musical piece in Lausanne, Rousseau continued to immerse himself in music, eventually studying and teaching it under Madame de Warens' mentorship. These years were marked by his pursuit of knowledge across a wide array of disciplines, compensating for his lack of formal education and preparing the ground for his later intellectual contributions.

Emergence as a Thinker

As the 1740s unfolded, Rousseau began to make strides in writing, although his initial efforts went largely unnoticed. His breakthrough came in 1742 in Paris when he proposed a new system of musical notation to the Academy of Science. Although the proposal was not adopted, it earned him respect and connections with influential intellectuals, including Denis Diderot.

Rousseau's views gained significant attention following his essay A Discourse on the Arts and Sciences, which won a prize from the Academy of Dijon in 1750. His argument, asserting that scientific and artistic advances had led to moral decay rather than improvement, sparked widespread debate and laid the groundwork for Romantic criticism of Enlightenment ideology.

In 1752, his operetta Le Devin du village brought him financial stability and royal acknowledgment, though his refusal to meet the king and subsequent involvement in a musical dispute cost him royal favor. Nonetheless, Rousseau's intellectual journey was far from over, as he continued to challenge societal norms.

Philosophical Contributions

In his A Discourse on Inequality , Rousseau explored the origins of social disparities, distinguishing between natural inequalities and those imposed by societal constructs. This work furthered his critique of the political and social systems...

(This entire section contains 944 words.)

Unlock this Study Guide Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

of eighteenth-century Europe, suggesting that primitive society held more virtue than modern civilization.

The publication of his novel Julie: Or, The New Héloïse marked a departure from Rousseau's earlier works, focusing on the doomed love between Julie and her tutor, Saint-Preux. Its emotive narrative and critique of societal corruption resonated with readers, influencing Romantic literature for decades.

Rousseau's treatise A Treatise on the Social Contract laid out his vision of the ideal relationship between governments and citizens, advocating that sovereignty resides with the people. He posited that governmental legitimacy depends on aligning with the general will, asserting the people's right to overthrow oppressive regimes.

Educational Philosophy

In Emilius and Sophia: Or, a New System of Education, Rousseau articulated his educational philosophy, emphasizing the importance of allowing children to develop naturally. He argued against forcing children into premature maturity, advocating instead for experiential learning that fosters holistic growth rather than mere intellectual accumulation.

Rousseau's progressive ideas on personal development and societal structures often placed him at the center of controversy. His works faced censorship and condemnation, leading to periods of exile in Switzerland, England, and France. Despite these challenges, Rousseau's influence continued to grow as his writings inspired introspective autobiographies and furthered the understanding of individual psychology.

Legacy and Impact

Rousseau's return to Paris in 1770 marked the final chapter of his life, during which he worked as a music copyist and composed introspective works such as The Reveries of the Solitary Walker. He passed away in 1778, but his legacy endured, influencing the ideologies that fueled the French Revolution and shaping modern political and educational systems.

Rousseau's life and ideology encapsulate a transition from entrenched traditionalism to a burgeoning new order where personal freedom and equality gained prominence. His opposition to authoritarianism and advocacy for individuality remain enduring contributions that resonate in contemporary discourse on freedom and societal structures.

Further Readings

For additional insights into Rousseau's life and philosophy, consider exploring the works of Frederick Copleston, Maurice Cranston, and Robert Wokler, among others. These authors provide varied perspectives on Rousseau's philosophical context, personal challenges, and the lasting impact of his thoughts.

Next

Analysis

Loading...