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3 reasons why jean jacques rousseau was the most influential thinkers during the Enlightenment

User Basel
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Jean Jack Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher. He lived during the age of Enlightenment( 18th century). His political ideology helped in the development of socialist theories and nationalism, it also influenced the French leaders during the French revolution.

Jean Jack Rousseau is important because of his contributions to moral psychology and political philosophy and his influence on later thinkers especially Kant. He was most influential thinkers in eighteenth century.

The discourse on the Science and Arts, The discourse on origin of Inequality are some of his famous works, the latter solidified his place as an intellectual figure. In it he argued that inequality is unnatural and not related to the true nature of man, and moral inequality is created by the man itself.

Emile was his major work on the philosophy of education while The social Contract dealt with political philosophy. His influence can also be seen on Immanuel Kant's work on ethics and his novel Julie had an impact on the Romantic Naturalism movement of eighteenth century.

The Social Contract is another famous book written by him, In it he argues that the laws are only binding on a person when it is supported by the general will of the people.

The most famous lines from the book are " man is born free, but he is everywhere in chains" . He challenged the traditional order of the society and believed that a good government must consider the freedom of all its citizens as the most fundamental objective. While previous philosophers spoke about the elites Rousseau spoke for the common person.

User Soheil Pourbafrani
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