Jean Jacques Rousseau was a highly influential philosopher; his work influenced several important historical events, such as the French Revolution, as well as inspired many modern political ideas such as Liberal, Conservative, and Socialist theories.

Jean Jacques Rousseau was a French philosopher and writer from the age of enlightenment. Born in Geneva Switzerland in 1712, he was raised Calvinist, with a minimal education outside of religion. He later moved to France where he gained citizenship and spent the remainder of his life moving around within the country. In adulthood he spent his time working on philosophy, which was mainly politically based, and pursuing the fine arts. He died in 1778 of a stroke.

Jean Jacques Rousseau is remembered best for his political philosophy. His views on the freedom of individuals and the importance of equality were uncommon and controversial, especially in France during the 1700’s. His most influential work, The Social Contract published in 1762, later was an important influence for the start of the French revolution. Jean Jacques Rousseau also possessed revolutionary ideas on education which were equally controversial, yet aren’t remembered as well today.

In addition to his philosophical work, Jean Jacques Rousseau was a prolific artist who achieved a fair amount of fame in his time and is said to have invented the modern autobiography. He also was an exceptional musician, writing several compositions including an opera, Le Devin Du Village, that was performed for King Louis the fifteenth, as well as creating his own form of musical notation that was said to show great musical talent and understanding, but was rejected as overly complicated. In addition to music Jean Jacques Rousseau wrote one of the most commercially successful novels of his era, Julie, ou la nouvelle Héloïse,  which also has received critical acclaim.

Jean Jacques Rousseau’s views on nature were fairly unique. He believed man is good by nature, but has been corrupted by vanity and lust through a move from our primal state in a drive for luxury. He believed we should attempt to revert back slightly with a political system that would not pit man against man. His views on liberty were based off a democratic system that would not imply one man is greater than another, and that no man should control others. He was one of the few people of his time to be anti-slavery, and wanted everyone to be equal.

Today he is remembered as a figure who helped fight for equality and partially inspired the French Revolution.

Works Cited:

Bertram, Christopher. "Jean Jacques Rousseau." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford University, 27 Sept. 2010. Web. 10 Jan. 2017.

Cranston, Muarice. "Jean-Jacques." Google Books. Google, n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2017.