Episode 1183
In this episode, we dive into the turbulent life and revolutionary philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778), the Genevan thinker whose ideas ignited the French Revolution and shaped the modern world. Join us as we explore how a man who began his life as a runaway apprentice became a central figure of the Enlightenment and the father of the Romantic movement,.
Key topics covered include:
• The Social Contract: We break down Rousseau's defining political theory on the "general will" and popular sovereignty, concepts that later inspired Robespierre and the Jacobins during the Reign of Terror,.
• Civilization vs. Nature: Discover Rousseau's counter-intuitive argument that the advancement of arts and sciences actually corrupted human morality, and why he believed the "savage" state was a golden age of human existence,.
• The Educational Paradox: We discuss Émile, his influential treatise on child-centered learning, and the shocking personal contradiction that the man who taught the world how to parent abandoned his own five children to a foundling hospital,.
• Feuds and Paranoia: From his public quarrels with former friends like Diderot and David Hume to his intense rivalry with Voltaire, we examine the paranoia and isolation that plagued his later years,,.
• The Invention of the Modern Self: How Rousseau’s posthumously published Confessions pioneered the modern autobiography by focusing on deep introspection and emotional honesty,.
Tune in to understand the legacy of this composer, botanist, and philosopher who argued that while private property created inequality, the human capacity for self-improvement remains,,.
Published on 2 days, 20 hours ago
If you like Podbriefly.com, please consider donating to support the ongoing development.
Donate