Leo Collins, Jacey Suther, Marie ParcheGreenbergAP Euro17 October 2016

What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness? - Jean-Jacques RousseauThe Romantic

Cheat Sheet: Jean-Jacques RousseauWho is Jean-Jacques Rousseau, what is he known for, what contributions did he make for the Enlightenment Era?

- Born in Geneva Switzerland to poor (yet educated) family of watchmakers in 1712 (Died at 66)- Influenced by Diderot and Voltaire- Claim to Fame

-Discourse on the Arts and Sciences and Discourse on the Origins and Foundations of Inequality - He saw an ad in a Parisian newspaper for an essay on if recent advances in art and

science had contributed towards the “purification of morals” (was the world getting better)- He came up with his paper; The thesis was that civilization and progress had not

improved people, but destroyed the morality of humans who had once been good.- State of Nature: Individuals had once been good and happy. They understood their own

minds, enjoyed music, had a love of family, a respect for nature, awe at the beauty of the universe, curiosity about others, and empathy.

- Society plagued people with vice and sin and corrupted them. Society had also awakened an “unhealthy self love” that he called amour propre (vanity, pride, jealousy) as people began to compare themselves to others. He also created the term Noble Savage

- Emile (On Education)- Wrote about children and raising them: Children were born naturally good, (which was a

revolutionary idea, as they were seen as a bother, or blank slates) and should be protected from the corruption of society, starting childhoods we know today, full of play and child centered education. He also encouraged breastfeeding, which had long been a disdained practice, especially among the wealthy.

- Social Contract- People have a contract with their society, not the government- No formal justice system, use of good instinct (based on all humans were born good)- Similar to democracy, everyone has more or less equal power

- General Will- Part of Social Contract- Reflects common interests of general pop. - Gov’t should fulfill needs/desires of majority most of the time

- General Beliefs- Committed to individual freedom- Rationalism and civilization were destroying the naturally good individual- Basic purity of children had to be protected from civilization (parenting became a priority)- He was focused on intense emotions rather than great deeds or social events. He

spurred on much of the romantic revolution

How did Rousseau’s contributions improve society?- Gave most everyone a voice regardless of class- Simple, peaceful way to make decisions and satisfy the population- No more panic over laws/decisions, more room for scientific/philosophical growth- Building blocks for the structure of a democratic gov’t- Improved the way that children were raised and treated

Leo Collins, Jacey Suther, Marie ParcheGreenbergAP Euro17 October 2016

In what ways would you consider Rousseau to be “Enlightened?”- Main works by Rousseau show he is a significant intellectual figure- Main claim is human beings are good by nature but corrupted by complex historical events in

present day’s society- Made many changes to how society was run and was a man of many trades: a writer,

philosopher, and composer

Why are Rousseau’s contributions more significant than others?- He was largely responsible for inspiring the French Revolution- Many things we consider normal today, such as breastfeeding and the way we are raised, maybe

even our form of government, wouldn’t exist without him- He was a poor man who made his claim to fame without the help of a wealthy aristocratic family