Émile, ou, de l'éducation
Our inner conflicts are caused by these contradictions. Drawn this way by nature and that way by man, compelled to yield to both forces, we make a compromise and reach neither goal. We go through life, struggling and hesitating, and die before we have found peace, useless alike to ourselves and to others.
Paperback, 533 pages
Published
November 15th 1993
by Phoenix (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd )
(first published 1762)
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this book is difficult to understand and hence easy to dismiss. many of the other reviews bear witness to this in the most immediate way. emile is not an instructional manual on how to educate a child, nor is it a misogynistic tract that insists on the inferiority of women. these suggestions fail to engage this work precisely where it becomes interesting.
Emile is, and was intended to be, the modern equivalent to Plato's Republic. It is a synoptic book, a sustained, comprehensive, ...more
Emile is, and was intended to be, the modern equivalent to Plato's Republic. It is a synoptic book, a sustained, comprehensive, ...more
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Please read the last chapter first. If you can accept Rousseau at his most offensive, then maybe you should continue with the rest of the book. Personally, I'm enough of a feminist that I cannot stand this work. I have heard too much praise for this work by so many who haven't finished it (i.e. read Rousseau's treatment of Sophie) that I will refuse to discuss it altogether.
If you're of the "but, gender issues aside" persuasion, you should consider that at the time, there w...more
If you're of the "but, gender issues aside" persuasion, you should consider that at the time, there w...more
Reading this tome was an equally delightful and discomforting one, as a lover of literature, great ideas, and feminist egalitarianism. On one hand, it is obvious that Rousseau was a true visionary (and a master of language). I am truly in awe of what he is trying to accomplish here. As a philosophical exercise of incredible scope, Emile is incredible. I couldn't help but ask myself, "Where are the visionaries of today?"
In another sense, though, it is certainly difficult t...more
In another sense, though, it is certainly difficult t...more
For the most part, Rousseau kept me interested by his language (which he uses very thoughtfully and precisely) and by his extreme ideas and scenarios of a child's education/tutorship. Rousseau shows his creativity by analyzing everything down to the smallest detail and this perspective gave me enough lessons to learn.
The part I did not care much for was his last chapter on Sophie--which is a great name for an ideal woman, but she does not live up to her name of wisdom when it comes to her...more
The part I did not care much for was his last chapter on Sophie--which is a great name for an ideal woman, but she does not live up to her name of wisdom when it comes to her...more
Rousseau had some very strange ideas about how to raise children, and how to teach them things. Wrapping kids in swaddling, controlling every aspect of their environment for an age, and then allowing them to learn through failure. This last was my favorite philosophy, one in which, unlike the children of today, he promoted that children be allowed to hurt themselves when they were at the right age, in order that they should learn how not to do stupid things. When I look at the lame, short, pl...more
If we want to produce a good man, how would we go about it? That's the problem that Rousseau presents himself in Emile.
In this lengthy work, no aspect of upbringing is overlooked. Starting with the health of the mother before she gives birth, we follow the course of a boy's life as he becomes a man and marries - all under the tutelage of Rousseau.
The basis of the upbringing is refreshing: a child must be allowed to follow his natural inclinations and do so in a natural se...more
In this lengthy work, no aspect of upbringing is overlooked. Starting with the health of the mother before she gives birth, we follow the course of a boy's life as he becomes a man and marries - all under the tutelage of Rousseau.
The basis of the upbringing is refreshing: a child must be allowed to follow his natural inclinations and do so in a natural se...more
If being an uneducated, ignorant, house-slave who lives to serve her lord and masters (aka her husband and children) comes so naturally to women, then why does Rousseau keep insisting that women need to be taught and indoctrinated with this "natural desire"?
While I am by no means a Betty Friedan or Mary Wollstonecraft, I found my stomach turning while reading this errant piece of sexist propaganda and I have a strong urge to burn this book!
While I am by no means a Betty Friedan or Mary Wollstonecraft, I found my stomach turning while reading this errant piece of sexist propaganda and I have a strong urge to burn this book!
I read this book many years ago in French lit and felt it to be full of profound new thoughts. I recently realized I had never read it in translation and got an English copy. My translation seems to be very bad - a 19th century translation I got cheap. I don't recommend the prometheus books 'great books in philosophy' series at all. With much of Rousseau's charming language lost, the awkwardness of his points is more evident. Still, it's almost creepy that two such dissimilar people (me and...more
How is it that the same book can at one and the same time be so fascinating and so wrong-headed? The author of Emile indicates that to bring up a child, the parent must be a lifelong tutor -- to the exclusion of any schools or spouses or relatives or anyone else. Rousseau deals with a fictional son named Emile. During the course of the book, he shows his influence from infancy to early marriage.
Perhaps such a controlling type of mentorship was possible only in a rural society; and Ro...more
Perhaps such a controlling type of mentorship was possible only in a rural society; and Ro...more
If only there was room in his world for little girls to be educated...
There are maybe 7 people in the world who understand this treatise on education, I don't think I am one of them yet.
I recognize that this is a classic of Rousseau literature and in many ways it's not bad for its time. But it is very hard for me to swallow, knowing how philosophy has advanced and having had the benefit of Plato's works, which Rousseau may not have had full liberty to, given when Plato was dug up. He is SO held within the structure of his time, which can be seen throughout in his biases and his assumptions on class, race, and gender. Painful to swallow if you are not in the majority on any of...more
A deceptively simple text. Rousseau has distanced himself from the Social Contract and the concept of the noble savage here, and has decided to illustrate the principles of an education that will bring about `natural man.' Emile is his guinea pig, whom he allows to grow on his own accord. His governor and nurse impose nothing on him, and he is allowed to build and explore without any external authority, eventually choosing a vocation and place in society.
For Rousseau, the most impor...more
For Rousseau, the most impor...more
Three stars for the complete work, more likely four stars for his philosophy. Detailed and elucidated. Comes across at times like a descript, didactic manual for how to raise a complete human (specifically male). Rousseau appears well-intentioned. He lost me only occaisionally on some of the overwrought details pertaining to Emile's later rearing (after the section on religion-which was a highlight of the book). Per his views on women, one must take them in context, specifically in chronolo...more
Well what do I think? Well having only concluded half of this gigantic book I understand just how great Jean-Jacques is. To put it in Rousseau's own words.
"On ne connaît point l'enfance: sur les fausses idées qu'on en a, plus on va, plus on s'égare. Les plus sages s'attachent à ce qu'il importe aux homme de savoir, sans considérer ce que les enfants sont en état d'apprendre. Ils cherchent toujours l'homme dans l'enfant, sans penser à ce qu'il est avant que d'être homme. Voilà l...more
"On ne connaît point l'enfance: sur les fausses idées qu'on en a, plus on va, plus on s'égare. Les plus sages s'attachent à ce qu'il importe aux homme de savoir, sans considérer ce que les enfants sont en état d'apprendre. Ils cherchent toujours l'homme dans l'enfant, sans penser à ce qu'il est avant que d'être homme. Voilà l...more
An intriguing, if noticeably dated, analysis of the ideal manner to educate a child. Many of his methods are sexist/impractical, but he does seem to preempt several faults of our modern system in his improvements. Overall, I doubt the modern reader familiar with education theory would find anything that is both useful and new. However, the foreignness of his method in itself can be an inspiration to novel thought on the subject.
Terrific book on natural education that I was introduced to by my brother with he attended Columbia School of Education. Talks a lot about education through feeling the results of your actions, and developing realistic perception. I believe Rousseau is in the evolutionary line leading to Montessori, but I am not sure. Anyway, follows the development of Emile through his lifespan. I highly recommend if you are ineterested in education
This book is unbelievable... absolutely amazing.
"In the fields the children, scattered, removed from the father, from the mother, and from other children, get practice in making themselves understood at a distance and in measuring the strength of their voices according to the space which separates them from those by whom they want to be understood. That is how one truly learns to pronounce, and not by stuttering some vowels in the ear of an attentive governess..."
"In the fields the children, scattered, removed from the father, from the mother, and from other children, get practice in making themselves understood at a distance and in measuring the strength of their voices according to the space which separates them from those by whom they want to be understood. That is how one truly learns to pronounce, and not by stuttering some vowels in the ear of an attentive governess..."
In a course I took, the professor once said that a man had written Rousseau 10 years after he wrote Emile and said that he raised his son identically to how Rousseau raised imaginary Emile. Rousseau wrote back "I feel sorry for you, but more sorry for your son." This book knocked me on my ass... which is what books are supposed to do, yes? Yes. Five stars.
Rousseau has some very interesting and important ideas about education. He is only trying to direct a child/ young adult's energy, not change it, making this book read more like child psychology.
However, be warned that Rousseau has different ideas about the education of women, making his book both insightful and insulting. He's really right on target in so many instances, it's a strange experience.
However, be warned that Rousseau has different ideas about the education of women, making his book both insightful and insulting. He's really right on target in so many instances, it's a strange experience.
I can't be fair to this book since I dislike Rousseau so intensely. Anyone who has read about him and his life will understand. But I don't agree with his educational philosophy and I don't like when fiction is used solely to hammer in someone's philosophy
Well, in fact I am reading it in French. It's such a wide-ranging book, fundamental to the way modern people see so many things, beginning with childhood and education, that it's hard to summarize what one learns from it.
I read a very abridged version but still managed to get a flavor for this book as a whole.
There are passages throughout the book about the nature of man, woman, God, and education I loved and fully agree with. Both the section on Emile and Sophie contained some deep truth but along side these truths, there are passages that I strongly disagree with.
There are passages throughout the book about the nature of man, woman, God, and education I loved and fully agree with. Both the section on Emile and Sophie contained some deep truth but along side these truths, there are passages that I strongly disagree with.
Great Book. Rousseaus ideas on solitary education are interesting. Its easy to see the 16th century perspective in his outline of gender roles and educational differences among the sexes
966. Émile; or, On Education, Jean-Jacques Rousseau
امیل: رسالهای در باب آموزش و پرورش - ژان ژاک روسو (ناهید) ادبیات فرانسه
امیل: رسالهای در باب آموزش و پرورش - ژان ژاک روسو (ناهید) ادبیات فرانسه
Having only got a quarter through this book often wonder if Rousseau had children, and did they grow up to be well-rounded individuals. Interesting to read if only for some of the medical beliefs held in the 1700's.
Probably my favorite book. I know it sounds a little pompous to say a philosophical treatise is your favorite book, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't.
I've read different parts of this one several times since reading it the first time for a Philosophy class in college. It really makes you think.
The portion of Book IV titled "Profession of a Savoyard Vicar" is particularly interesting.
Not saying I agree with everything in the book (Rousseau is a little sexist and ra...more
I've read different parts of this one several times since reading it the first time for a Philosophy class in college. It really makes you think.
The portion of Book IV titled "Profession of a Savoyard Vicar" is particularly interesting.
Not saying I agree with everything in the book (Rousseau is a little sexist and ra...more
A rather accessible philosphy of education. Not sure women would appreciate his old-fashioned views about the role nature has created for them but quite a lot of his ideas on learning through doing would find a good following today.
A very good primer for raising and teaching children, taking into the time period and context for his writing.
I read biggish bits of this when I did Philosophy of Education...I think that's enough to get the gist...
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau remains an important figure in the history of philosophy, both because of his contributions to political philosophy and moral psychology and because of his influence on later thinkers. Rousseau's own view of philosophy and philosophers was firmly negative, seeing philosophers as the post-hoc rationalizers of self-interest, as apologists for various forms of tyranny, and as pl...more
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