Jean Jacques Rousseau |
![Picture](/uploads/4/2/1/5/42156811/3738215.jpg?250)
Originally from Geneva, Switzerland, Jean-Jacques Rousseau was one of the most influential philosophers of the 18th Century. During his younger years, he traveled to many places such as Paris and Great Britain and developed all sorts of philosophical works while meeting a few love interests along the way. He moved from place to place as a child due to his father's troublesome quarrels. He was ultimately abandoned by his father and was brought up by his uncle. He ran away from his uncle when he turned 15. At an early age, he was encouraged to read and found much interests in love and romantic novels such as L'Astrée by Honoré d'Urfé. These novels would become the building blocks of his future works that would inspire other philosophical thinkers and the whole world
![Picture](/uploads/4/2/1/5/42156811/1876768.jpg?1416362995)
Rousseau argued that the progression of arts and sciences was hindered by the corruption of society and its government. He wondered if the progression of arts and sciences was morally beneficial. He had an eye opening moment that the arts and sciences was morally degenerating mankind, which was good by nature. This idea was expressed in his first major philosophical work, The Discourse on the Arts and Sciences. It was originally written for an essay contest held at The Academy of Dijon in 1750. Rousseau won first prize and gained notable fame. This was the beginning of his political career. This publish would soon lead to Rousseau's second philosophical work, The Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Among Man.
![Picture](/uploads/4/2/1/5/42156811/1575675.jpg?1416451680)
When Rousseau returned to Geneva in 1754, he completed his second major philosophical work, The Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Among Man. Although this work did not win first prize because it was "too long", it solidified his name as one of the most influential thinkers. In this piece, he furthers his argument in his first major work stating that man is good by nature but has been corrupted by present day society. This idea of "nature" is a theme that is used throughout all of his major works including his most famous one, The Social Contract.
![Picture](/uploads/4/2/1/5/42156811/5004235.jpg?1416452235)
The Social Contract, published in 1762, was Rousseau's most influential philosophical works of the 18th Century. This work helped inspire political reforms throughout Europe, especially in France. He argued that the people were the ones who had the right to govern, not the monarchs. This work instantly stirred an immense amount of controversy and was banned in France. This created very difficult situations for Rousseau since authorities were now looking for him. He fled France and established himself in Switzerland. Years later, Rousseau died of a hemorrhage in 1778 while on a brisk morning walk.