MAN AND CITIZEN IN ROUSSEAU’S EDUCATIONAL WRITINGS

Abstract

This paper aims at giving some consideration to the educational project that Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a Genevan philosopher (1712-1778), set out in his book Emile, or On Education. I have tried to clarify some polemical aspects of his thoughts, such as the making of a man or a citizen. Besides, I have also developed the idea that, despite a sense of impracticability conveyed by Emile, there is a set of paradoxes in this fantasy that reveals a sensible analysis of the problems faced in the 18th century. They can also make us reflect on the ones we have to face nowadays.