Jean-Jacques Rousseau “Man is born free but everywhere is in chains.”

1. Jean-Jacques Rousseau“Man is born free but everywhere is in chains.”

2. Rousseau • B. June 28, 1712 in Geneva, Switzerland • D. (kidney ailment)July 2, 1778 in small town near Paris • Mother died 9 days after birth • Father fled to avoid prison, leaving him with aunt and uncle • Wandered from place to place; finally settled in Paris in 1742 • Had 5 children; gave each one up for adoption

3. “The Social Contract” • Describes the relationship of man with society • The state of nature is brutish condition w/out law or morality • There are only good men as a result of society’s presence • Man is prone to be in frequent competition; therefore, joins together to form collective human presence called society.

4. “The Social Contract” • The social contract is the compact agreed to among men that sets the conditions for membership in society. • The goals of gov’t should be to a) secure freedom, b) ensure equality, and c) provide justice for all regardless of the will of the majority

5. “The Social Contract” • Politics and morality should not be separated • Questioned the assumption that the will of the majority is always correct • *Once rulers cease to protect the ruled, the social contract is broken and the governed are free to choose another set of governors. – Primary force in the Declaration of Independence! • Primary theoretical influence in French Revolution

6. Rousseau in a really nice hat

7. Ideas on Education • His ideas have profoundly influenced modern education • Minimizes the importance of book learning • Emotions should be educated before a child’s reasoning • Special emphasis on learning by experience