Jean-Jacques Rousseau | |
|---|---|
Rousseau by Maurice Quentin de La Tour, 1753 | |
| Born | (1712-06-28)28 June 1712 Geneva, Republic of Geneva |
| Died | 2 July 1778(1778-07-02) (aged 66) Ermenonville, Kingdom of France |
| Era | 18th-century philosophy (early modern philosophy) |
| Region | Western philosophy |
| School | Social contract Romanticism |
Main interests | Political philosophy, music, education, literature, autobiography |
Notable ideas | General will, amour de soi, amour-propre, moral simplicity of humanity, child-centered learning, civil religion, popular sovereignty, positive liberty, public opinion |
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau, (28 June 1712[1] – 2 July 1778) was a famous French-speakingphilosopher. He was born in Geneva, Switzerland[1] and always described himself as being Genevan.[2]
Rousseau lived in the 18th century during the Age of Enlightenment. His political ideology influenced the French Revolution and aided the development of nationalism and socialist theories.
Rousseau was also a composer, writing numerous books about music theory. Rousseau authored Confessions, an autobiography,[1] one of the first of its kind. Many later philosophers were influenced by him. He wrote a novelJulie, ou la nouvelle Héloïse,[1] which was a best-seller and influenced 19th century writers of romanticism.
Rousseau believed that men were born good and innocent, and that corruption and sadness happened because of life experiences and experiences in society. He believed that if society were gone, man would be happy and pure once again.
Rousseau is most famous for his social contract ideology, which is often compared to the social contract of John Locke. This ideology is stated in Rousseau's book, The Social Contract.