Answer:
The thoughts of Jean-Jacques Rousseau were controversial for his time because they challenged many of the prevailing beliefs and institutions of 18th-century Europe. Some of the ways in which Rousseau's ideas were different from the pre-Enlightenment period include:
1. The role of reason: Prior to the Enlightenment, reason was not considered the primary means of acquiring knowledge or making decisions. Instead, religious dogma and tradition held sway. Rousseau, however, emphasized the importance of reason in understanding the world and advocated for a more rational approach to social and political issues.
2. Social contract theory: Rousseau's concept of the social contract was a departure from the pre-Enlightenment period, which held that power and authority came from divine right. Rousseau argued that people had a right to participate in the political process and that governments derived their authority from the consent of the governed.
3. Natural state of man: Rousseau's ideas about the natural state of man were controversial because they challenged the prevailing belief that humans were inherently selfish and violent. Rousseau believed that humans were inherently good and that it was society that corrupted them. He argued that the social contract was necessary to prevent the worst excesses of human behavior.
4. Education: Rousseau's ideas about education were also controversial for his time. He believed that children should be educated to develop their natural talents and abilities rather than being forced to conform to society's expectations. He also believed in the importance of emotional and moral education, rather than just intellectual development.
Overall, Rousseau's ideas challenged many of the long-held beliefs and institutions of the pre-Enlightenment period and helped pave the way for the more rational and egalitarian society that emerged during the Enlightenment.