1712-1778. French social philosopher and
writer, born in Geneva, Switzerland.
Discourses on the Origins of Inequality 1754
made his name: he denounced civilized society
and postulated the paradox of the superiority
of the `noble savage'. Social Contract 1762
emphasized the rights of the people over
those of the government, and stated that a
government could be legitimately overthrown
if it failed to express the general will of
the people. It was a significant influence on
the French Revolution. In the novel Emile
1762 he outlined a new theory of education,
based on natural development and the power of
example, to elicit the unspoiled nature and
abilities of children. Confessions, published
posthumously 1782, was a frank account of his
occasionally immoral life and was a founding
work of autobiography.