Jean-Jacques Rousseau

1712–1778

Nationality: Swiss

Historical Period: The 18th Century

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was a Swiss philosopher and novelist who was an important figure in the Enlightenment. In his novels and discourses he claimed that civilization had weakened the natural liberty of mankind and that a truly free society would be the expression of the “general will” of all members of that society. He influenced later thinkers on both ends of the political spectrum.

Rousseau featured as the June 2021 OLL Birthday. Read it here.

Quotes from Jean-Jacques Rousseau:

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau on the tendency of governments to move into tyranny

Titles from Jean-Jacques Rousseau:

• Author: Emile, or Education
• Author: Ideal Empires and Republics
• Author: A Lasting Peace through the Federation of Europe and The State of War
• Author: The Political Writings of Jean Jacques Rousseau, 2 vols.
• Author: The Political Writings of Jean Jacques Rousseau vol. 1
• Author: The Political Writings of Jean Jacques Rousseau vol. 2
• Author: The Social Contract and Discourses