Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was an influential 18th-century Swiss philosopher, writer, and composer, widely regarded as a key figure in the Enlightenment. Born in Geneva in 1712, Rousseau's ideas on individual freedom, the social contract, and the nature of human beings significantly shaped modern political philosophy and education. His seminal works include The Social Contract, where he argued that legitimate political authority comes from the consent of the governed, and Emile, or On Education, which outlines his views on education and child development. Rousseau's exploration of the relationship between civilization and morality has had a lasting impact on philosophy, political theory, and literature, and his thoughts on the 'noble savage' continue to influence discussions about human nature and society.