Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, born in Geneva in 1712, was a philosopher, writer, and composer whose ideas transformed politics, education, and culture. He argued that humans are naturally good but corrupted by society, especially through inequality and private property. His Discourse on Inequality and The Social Contract advanced the notion of popular sovereignty, declaring, “Man is born free, but everywhere in chains.” In Émile, he revolutionized education by advocating child-centered learning. His sentimental novel Julie and autobiographical Confessions influenced Romanticism and modern introspection. Though controversial and often persecuted, Rousseau’s vision of liberty, nature, and authenticity made him one of history’s most influential thinkers.
“Man is good by nature, but corrupted by society.”