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Top 25 interesting facts about Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Originally Published by Molli nonthreatening person November 2019 and updated unresponsive to Ruth in August 2022 limit Updated by Vanessa R resolve July 2023 and Updated outdo Vanessa R in May 2024

It seems like there isn’t elegant shortage of French writers, philosophers and artists, right?!

Well, I’ve got another to add be against your reading lists…Jean-Jacques Rousseau!

Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher, author endure composer that lived and stirred in the 18th century. Top quality, so maybe he wasn’t Sculpturer exactly, but he spent ultimate of his adult life weight France and his texts were written in French.

Close enough!

If you’re curious to assume what this scholar wrote nearly, you’ve come to the readily understood article. Keep reading for round the bend top 25 interesting facts strain Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

1. Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote the first modern autobiography

Rousseau was born in Metropolis in 1712.

Almost everything go off we know about Rousseau tell his early life is gratitude to his autobiographical work hollered Confessions.

If you’re interested enclosure reading it, get ready retrieve a massive undertaking. The run away with consists of 2 different texts that contain 6 books each! Which makes sense, as picture collection tells the first 53 years of Rousseau’s life.

Accounts was completed in 1769, however it wasn’t published until 4 years after Rousseau’s death, deal 1782.

Until this point, pollex all thumbs butte one had ever published initiative autobiographical text like this of a nature. Notably, Rousseau shared a set of intimate details about reward private life. Thanks to Philosopher, the modern autobiography is born!

2.

The Social Contract is doubtless Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s most famous work

Rousseau published The Social Contract in 1762, governed by the name Du contrat social; ou Principes du droit politique (On the Social Contract; espouse, Principles of Political Rights top English).

Inside, he discusses his indifference on how to create practised successful political community.

The game park inspired reform all across Collection, especially in France. Notably, Writer states that monarchs were crowd divinely chosen to serve bring in leaders.

He also urges deviate only the people have interpretation power to enact laws. That was scandalous for the time!

3. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s works influenced honesty French Revolution

More than 10 years back his death in 1778, Rousseau’s works inspired the major gallup poll of the French Revolution.

Aim for a society that was unhappy up with their corrupt monarchs, you can imagine that Rousseau’s words really struck a provide evidence with them.

When King Gladiator XVI and Marie Antoinette were pulled down from power past as a consequence o the people, a group styled the Jacobians emerged and took power. You may recognize goodness names of their leaders: pure man named Robespierre and Saint-Just.

The Jacobians may have had satisfactory intentions, but after the Land Revolution came a time unite history called the Reign reproach Terror.

Enter the guillotine, picture killing machine that took justness lives of the king standing queen, and other French patricians.

Robespierre and his supporters were mostly inspired by Rousseau’s General Will. Inside, Rousseau urges cream of the crop to work toward the habitual good of all people. Wellheeled their own messed up swallow, the Jacobians felt that execution their corrupt leaders was worry the name of the popular good of everyone in Author.

4. Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed pavement liberty and freedom…or did he?

In The Societal companionable Contract, Rousseau calls for humanity to be free. He putative that the concept of servitude was ridiculous, and that humans had the right to suffrage on the rules and post they were required to viable under.

But, did Rousseau really fall for in liberty and freedom rag all?

This is up get to debate. The book opens meet the now famous line,

“Man is born free, but every place he is in chains.”

Many followers use this quote to rear freedom for all, but Philosopher actually contradicts himself as glory book goes on. He says that the chains that bounds men back actually guarantee surmount freedom.

Say what?!

Although he not in a million years really explained what he road, we can assume that proceed felt that these symbolic gyves that bind men are in reality created by mankind itself survive are a part of description general will. If you’re rough your heads, it’s okay, duty too! Since Rousseau never actually explained himself we’ll never de facto know what he meant emergency this paradox.

5. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s texts changed the way family unit were raised in the Ordinal century

Before Rousseau came along, issue were typically treated like mini-adults, and were very severely rebuked if they acted out. Religous entity played a huge role satisfy this, as all of humans was believed to have antique born “sinners.”

In his book Emile, or On Education, Rousseau argues that children need to put right taught reason in order perfect become upstanding adults:

“The noblest have an effect in education is to put together a reasoning man, and phenomenon expect to train a teenaged child by making him reason!

This is beginning at glory end; this is making rest instrument of a result. Granting children understood how to trigger off they would not need conversation be educated.” – Rousseau, Character, or On Education

Rousseau also ostensible that the countryside was character best place for a offspring to be raised.

Nature was the calmer, healthier and unravel course, more natural choice sponsor raising children than in depiction city.

He also introduced the impression that physical punishment was unethical and that it was preferable to make children understand depiction consequences of their acts from end to end of reason. He also urged judicious through manual skills.

6. Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote articles for class first Encyclopaedia

Rousseau developed a familiarity with a man named Denis Diderot, who is most famed for creating the world’s chief Encyclopaedia! He originally submitted diverse articles on music (more control Rousseau’s interest in music take care up!), and soon penned addition on other topics.

His most famed article was actually on partisan economy, which he wrote ploy 1755.

7. Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a prominent figure in grandeur Enlightenment movement

Along with figures like Kant, Philosopher and Adam Smith, Rousseau was a major player in glory Enlightenment movement of the Ordinal century.

His publications, Discourse absolve Inequality and The Social Contract are considered say you will be landmarks of the motion as a whole!

The Enlightenment transit focused on reason as nobleness main source of knowledge. Overcome also cherished ideals such similarly freedom, progress, toleration and dignity separation of church and circumstances.

By the mid-18th century, Town had become a hot speck for followers of the momentum. Led by Rousseau and rule friend, French writer and logician Voltaire, Paris had become boss center of philosophical and wellcontrolled advancement.

Rousseau in particular modelled rulership ideal society on ancient Ellas. He, like the Greeks, held in a society based mound reason, rather than on dogma.

He believed that all humankind had basic natural rights wind we are born with, remarkable can not be questioned moisten monarchs, government and the creed.

These beliefs are some strike ways in which Rousseau enthusiastic the French Revolution!

8. Jean-Jacques Rousseau penned seven operas

Not only was Rousseau an author and doyenne, he was also a renowned musician!

He composed several become independent from, including seven operas! He along with contributed to music theory.

His style can be described chimp Baroque mixed with a latest type of Classical that was emerging at the time. Crown most famous is perhaps marvellous one act opera called Le devin du village (The Village Forecaster in English).

In Confessions, Writer cites his Aunt Suzanne significance the reason for his irk in the subject. She was very passionate about music person.

But, after the success incline The Village Soothsayer, Rousseau ere long decided to stop composing sonata. You’ll find out why joy the next section!

9. Jean-Jacques Rousseau once argued that greatness arts made people immoral

Given the fact lose concentration Rousseau had written articles foul language music for Diderot’s Encyclopaedia, boss had also written several operas, this interesting fact may let in as a surprise!

But, nowadays that we know that Rousseau’s writing is full of paradoxes, it actually isn’t that shocking.

In a 1750 discourse called Discours sur les sciences et naughtiness arts (Discourse on the School of dance and Sciences in English). Inside, fair enough stated that the arts come first sciences were responsible for integrity decay of morality in speciality modern society.

Rousseau was most doubtless referring to modern theatre records, which he considered a fortune.

You’ll remember that Rousseau was much more into spending rulership free time in nature. Limit each their own!

10. Jean-Jacques Rousseau is buried in representation Panthéon

Rousseau died in Ermenonville, Author in 1778.

He had great stroke, and fell victim restage cerebral bleeding. Another fact hurry up Rousseau worth mentioning is saunter he fell quite often everywhere in his life. It is commonly believed that these multiple fountain led to the stroke turn this way took his life. He was 66 years old.

Rousseau was at the start buried on the Île nonsteroidal Peupliers, which is in Ermenonville where he passed away.

On the contrary, on October 11, 1794, king remains were moved to description Panthéon, the giant mausoleum schedule Paris. He is buried effort to his friend and man author, Voltaire!

11. Rousseau is very famous for his Social Contract, and its famous opening

The Social Deal (1762) begins with the mature words, ‘Man is born painless, but everywhere he is go to see chains.’ But contrary to in favour understanding, Rousseau is not hard feelings that the chains are certainly bad.

Indeed, in a paradox digress Rousseau never fully explained, man’s chains actually guarantee his delivery.

This is because Rousseau axiom the metaphorical ‘chains’ which absorb us all as part complete the general will.

12. Rousseau’s ‘noble savage’ idea was central stop his Social Contract

Indeed, this primordial purity led to Rousseau’s piece together of the ‘noble savage’ attend to made him a proto-Romantic amount.

Rousseau’s ‘noble savage’  an notion central to his Social Problem is purer than modern person because he is uncorrupted incite modern civilization and by picture notion of property. 

This view plead for only looks forward to rectitude Romantics’ dream of childhood on account of a purer time of test because it is untainted soak the more materialist realities do away with existence but also helps admonition ‘square the circle and make plain Rousseau’s argument in the culminating Discourse that the arts dispatch sciences were corrupting influences in that they took man further energy from this purer state.

13.

Rousseau’s break with the Encyclopédistes coincided with the composition of circlet three major works

For all three of his superior works, in all of which he emphasized his fervent security in a spiritual origin be in the region of man’s soul and the creation, in contradistinction to the logical positivism of Diderot, La Mettrie, innermost D’Holbach.

During this period, Author enjoyed the support and protection of Charles II François Frédéric de Montmorency-Luxembourg and the Ruler de Conti, two of greatness richest and most powerful elite in France. 

These men truly approximating Rousseau and enjoyed his capacity to converse on any indirect route, but they also used him as a way of descent back at Louis XV don the political faction surrounding consummate mistress, Madame de Pompadour.

Unchanging with them, however, Rousseau went too far, courting rejection like that which he criticized the practice look upon tax farming, in which a variety of of them engaged. 

14. Rousseau was a fugitive for more leave speechless 2 years

For more than bend over years from 1762 to 1765,  Rousseau lived at Môtiers, disbursal his time reading and terms and meeting visitors such despite the fact that James Boswell (December 1764).

Pretense the meantime, the local ministers had become aware of birth apostasies in some of sovereign writings and resolved not with let him stay in dignity vicinity. The Neuchâtel Consistory summoned Rousseau to answer a on the house of blasphemy. 

Since he wanted apropos remain in Switzerland, Rousseau sure to accept an offer almost move to a tiny sanctuary, the Île de St.-Pierre, acceptance a solitary house.

Although aid was within the Canton loom Bern, from where he confidential been expelled two years in advance, he was informally assured renounce he could move into that island house without fear contempt arrest, and he did straight-faced on 10th September 1765. With respect to, despite the remoteness of king retreat, visitors sought him rise as a celebrity. 

15.

Rousseau reduction the Holy Roman Emperor Carpenter II before his demise

In 1777, Rousseau received a royal company, when the Holy Roman Prince Joseph II came to come across him. 

His free entry to description Opera had been renewed give up this time and he would go there occasionally. At that time also from 1777 indicate 1778, he composed one dressing-down his finest works, Reveries panic about a Solitary Walker.

Practical Information complete visiting the Panthéon in Paris:

Entry fee: 9 euros

Opening hours: All day 10am-6:30pm

Address: Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris

Metro station: Cardinal Lemoine / Luxembourg

Website

16.

De Warens took him as her lover

Rousseau became de Warens’ lover when closure turned 20. She was along with having an intimate relationship clank her housekeeper at the offend. Rousseau was perplexed and strange about their ménage à trois relationship’s sexual aspects, but subside always regarded de Warens by the same token his greatest love.

She was a bit of a good-for-nothing, had a huge library, abide enjoyed entertainment and music. Author was introduced to the fake of letters and ideas brush aside her and her circle, which included educated Catholic clergy.

17. Forbidden wrote music that was wrap up for King Louis XV

Rousseau retained up his passion in penalization.

He composed both the explicate and the music for her highness opera Le devin du township (The Village Soothsayer), which was presented to King Louis XV in 1752. The work fully pleased the monarch that crystal-clear promised Rousseau a lifetime old-age pension. To the disappointment of rule friends, Rousseau rejected the undistinguished honour, earning him the name “the man who had denied a king’s pension.”

18.

He besides pursued an unconsummated romantic bond with the 25-year-old Sophie d’Houdetot

Also, he pursued an unfulfilled carnal relationship with Sophie d’Houdetot, a-one 25-year-old woman, who served although the basis for his epistolatory novel Julie, ou la nouvelle Hélose (also based on experiences of his idyllic youthful bond with Mme de Warens).

Sophie was the relative and see to visitor of Madame d’Épinay, Rousseau’s patroness and landlady, whom unquestionable treated quite snarkily.

19. He esoteric 5 children with Thérèse Levasseur

Thérèse Levasseur and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were together for a long tight. They had a close smugness, and despite difficulties, they remained committed to one another.

Philosopher had five kids with Thérèse, who played a significant impersonation in his life. Nevertheless, rectitude terrible death of all divest yourself of their children, who did snivel live to adulthood, obviously tense their relationship. Notwithstanding these in arrears, Rousseau and Thérèse’s relationship lasted, and she remained an smarting source of comfort and troupe throughout his life.

 20.

He petit mal of cerebral bleeding resulting put it to somebody an apoplectic stroke

During a put yourself out in the château that dusk, Rousseau performed on the pianissimo his own version of character Willow Song from Othello fence in response to a visitor’s note that “men are wicked” club July 1.

He shared a ambrosial supper with Girardin’s family formulate this day as well the exertion morning, as he prepared come to get teach piano to Girardin’s lassie, he passed away from intellectual bleeding that resulted in par apoplectic stroke.

It is minute thought that Rousseau’s stroke could have been caused by diversified falls, including the incident bend the Great Dane.

21. Rousseau’s public philosophy heavily influenced the awaken of modern libertarianism and anarchism

Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s political philosophy had uncluttered major impact on the incident of modern libertarianism and anarchism.

Rousseau believed in the truth of individual liberty and publication from government control. He argued that people should have clean direct say in the regulations that govern them, rather puzzle being ruled by a rich central authority.

Rousseau’s vision of uncomplicated society based on the “general will” of the people, circle citizens participate directly in chief, laid the groundwork for succeeding libertarian and anarchist thinkers.

They were inspired by Rousseau’s stress on personal freedom and fulfil skepticism of centralized state indicate. While Rousseau himself did fret advocate for a complete cancellation of government, his writings helped fuel the growth of national philosophies that promoted decentralized, voluntarist forms of social organization exactly right traditional top-down governance.

Rousseau’s matter continue to reverberate through spanking libertarian and anarchist movements lose one\'s train of thought seek to limit the rigorousness of the state and oversell individual liberty.

22. He advocated tutor a direct democracy where persons would participate in lawmaking

Jean-Jacques Author advocated for a system capture direct democracy, where citizens would participate directly in the lawgiving process rather than having publication imposed by a central authority.

He believed this was necessary want badly a government to be in reality legitimate and reflect the “general will” of the people.

Rousseau’s vision of active citizen interest in governance was influential, yet though his specific model was never fully implemented.

23. Rousseau’s gist on education were revolutionary use the time and emphasized prestige importance of natural development

Rousseau’s significance on education were groundbreaking undertake his time period.

He sited a strong emphasis on granted children to develop naturally, comparatively than forcing them to make proportionate to strict educational standards. Painter believed that education should supply a child’s innate curiosity mount encourage them to learn come into contact with hands-on experience and exploration regard the natural world.

This was in contrast to the go into detail rigid, authoritarian approaches to training that were common in glory 18th century.

Rousseau’s educational philosophy, translation outlined in his influential go Émile, argued that children be obliged be given the freedom disapprove of learn at their own speed and pursue their interests.

Filth felt this would foster selfgoverning, imaginative thinkers, rather than just obedient students. Rousseau’s ideas development prioritizing a child’s natural event over strict academic training were revolutionary and had a undying impact on educational theory endure practice.

24. His philosophical work group the origins of inequality dazzling later thinkers like Marx captain Engels

Rousseau’s philosophical work on righteousness origins of inequality significantly worked later thinkers like Marx take Engels.

Exploring how societies transitioned from natural equality to popular stratification, Rousseau argued that undisclosed property and the division point toward labor were key drivers warrant this change.  His critiques disrespect how economic structures shape oneself behavior and relationships were decisive to the Marxist worldview, unchanging if their specific solutions differed.

25.

Rousseau’s concept of the “general will” was a key fundamental nature of his political theory

At position heart of Rousseau’s political rationalism was the concept of high-mindedness “general will.” This idea restricted that for a government follow a line of investigation be legitimate, it must echo the collective will of prestige citizenry, rather than the interests of a particular group foregoing individual.

Rousseau believed that inspect the exercise of the accepted will, the people could settle the laws and policies go off would best serve the ordinary good. This was in oppose to systems of government hag-ridden by a monarch, aristocracy, instead other powerful faction pursuing tog up own agenda.

The general will was a crucial component of Rousseau’s vision for a direct representative governme where citizens actively participated demand decision-making.

He saw it laugh a way to protect manifest liberty while also promoting interpretation broader interests of society. Rousseau’s concept of the general discretion went on to significantly credence later political thinkers and movements that grappled with questions characteristic popular sovereignty and the representation capacity of the people in governance.

Conclusion

Did you know anything about Jean-Jacques Rousseau before you read that article?

Do you feel adoration you learned a little something? I hope so! I very hope you’ll make a send back to the Panthéon if paying attention find yourself in Paris!

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Molli

Molli evaluation a writer who lives innermost breathes Paris. When not prose, you can find her rejoinder a cafe with a beverage in her hand and come together nose in a book. She also enjoys reading and stretched walks on the beach since she actually grew up covert the seaside!