Background

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born 1712 in Geneva, Switzerland. His mother died shortly after his birth, so he was raised by his father and relatives. Growing up, he read the works of Plutarch, but did not receive much formal schooling.

Later on, Rousseau began an apprenticeship as an engraver under a harsh master, and ran away from Geneva in 1728. He eventually found refuge with Madame Warens, a very wealthy woman. She “was the first of a series of wealthy benefactors who lent friendship and sanctuary to Rousseau,” and he stayed with her off and on for several years, which gave him time to educate himself. (Creed, 1999).

In 1742, at the age of 30, Rousseau went to Paris, France, the center of art, philosophy, and science. The contrast between the happy setting of his childhood and “the sophisticated, artificial Parisian society” defined him as a person and as a thinker. Most philosophers began inquiries by asking “what is the nature of man?” Rousseau’s upbringing and feelings about Paris gave him a unique perspective on this question, and he used his personal experience to create an understanding about the individual and society.

In Paris, Rousseau met thinkers like Diderot and d’Alembert, as well as other French philosophers, many of whom were in the throes of producing the first Encyclopedia.  He contributed several pieces on music to this project.

He found his true calling in 1749 upon seeing an advertisement for an essay contest sponsored by the Academy of Dijon. The question asked “whether the restoration of the arts and sciences has had the effect of purifying or corrupting morals” (Creed, 1999). In his personal memoir, Confessions, Rousseau recalls being “struck dizzy with inspiration” (Creed, 1999). His essay, Discourse on the Arts and Sciences, won first place. This essay and his second, Discourse on Inequality, began to develop themes and ideas he eventually worked on at length in his later works.

 

References:

Creed, Constance. (1999). “Jean-Jacques Rousseau.” Great thinkers of the western world.” 271. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/whic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=WHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&u=butleru&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=WHIC%3AUHIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CA55035824