I haven't completed it yet, but man, it has been such a laborious task. Rousseau appears to believe that one can mold anyone into precisely what one desires. His elaborate description of his educational philosophy and endeavors seems to go on indefinitely.

I skipped through a significant portion of the end of Book III and have decided to put this aside as "to-read" in case I ever have a sudden urge and wish to finish it.

Throughout the text, there are indeed some remarkable pearls of wisdom. However, life is simply too brief for me to struggle through something that I don't find enriching, beautiful, or useful.

I value my time and want to invest it in books that truly resonate with me and offer something of substance. While Rousseau's work may have its merits, at this moment, it just doesn't seem to be the right fit for me.

Perhaps in the future, when my interests or circumstances change, I will pick it up again and give it another try. But for now, I am content to move on to other literary pursuits.

Provocative and at moments compelling, this book is truly a complex piece within the realm of educational theory. It has the power to stir emotions and engage the reader's mind, yet it is perhaps one of the most pernicious works in this field. The ideas presented may seem alluring on the surface, but upon closer examination, they can have harmful implications for educational practices.

Moreover, the book suffers from being overlong. The excessive length can make it a tedious read, causing the reader to lose interest and perhaps miss out on some of the key points. It seems as if the author could have condensed the content and presented it in a more concise and engaging manner.

Despite its flaws, however, this book cannot be ignored. It forces us to question our assumptions about education and consider alternative perspectives. Whether we agree or disagree with its ideas, it has the potential to spark important discussions and drive positive change in the field of education.

Reading this tome was an equally delightful and discomforting experience for me, as a lover of literature, great ideas, and feminist egalitarianism.

On one hand, it is evident that Rousseau was a true visionary and a master of language. I am truly in awe of what he is attempting to achieve here. As a philosophical exercise of incredible scope, Emile is truly remarkable. I couldn't help but wonder, "Where are the visionaries of today?"

In another sense, however, it is indeed difficult to accept Rousseau's misogyny. His portrayal of Sophie, despite her namesake, is unfortunately small and limited. He reduces her worth to that of an appendage of men. Yet, I ultimately feel that Rousseau cannot be blamed for the sexism of his time. Rousseau did not have the privilege of being born in an era when he could have been influenced by the feminist vision that would soon emerge. Nevertheless, he still makes an effort to understand women. In fact, Emile inspired Mary Wollstonecraft to write her seminal work, Vindication on the Rights of Women. Surely, Rousseau's love of freedom and commitment to breaking the restricting chains of society would eventually lead him to desire the liberation of all humans from the constraints of gender as well.

So, while Rousseau undoubtedly fails in his understanding of gender and "female/male nature," and this does significantly undermine his argument, I actually believe that his vision is more beneficial than harmful to feminists and egalitarians. The more I contemplate this book, the more my mind expands with the vast possibilities of humanity - precisely what Wollstonecraft advocated for all human beings.

\\"Emile ya da Eğitim Üzerine / Emile, or On Education / Émile, ou De l’éducation\\" is one of the two greatest works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, along with \\"The Social Contract\\". It presents the social, political, and religious issues of the era in a striking and incisive way through the duties of families towards their children. It is not very difficult to understand why the famous philosopher was exiled from his country, as he continued his rather advanced thoughts in this book according to his era. On the other hand, considering that Rousseau left his own children in an orphanage, \\"Emile\\" can also be regarded as a good example of the philosopher's life full of paradoxes. Nevertheless, when considering the time it was written, it was one of the first examples of the \\"Bildungsroman\\" genre and it should be emphasized that it also shed light on child-rearing in the following times.

The really striking parts of \\"Emile\\" are the first and fourth sections, which are in the nature of a continuation of \\"The Social Contract\\". Especially in the first section, the mention of the importance of society in a person's growth and the presentation of child-rearing to the reader based on Locke's views are quite impressive. However, the last section, which is quite long and shows a rather sexist approach, unfortunately, is one of the weakest points of the work. The arguments that lead to the inequality of men and women, judged based on what it means to be a man for Sophie, who is presented as Emile's equal, become very disturbing after a while. Probably, the fact that Rousseau was beaten by the women who took care of him as a child had a great contribution to this. Nevertheless, I recommend this work to be read immediately after \\"The Social Contract\\". It is among the very valuable and definitely must-read books in the philosophical field.

London, United Kingdom
17.10.2019

Alp Turgut

Did I rate this 3 previously? For God’s sake, that’s not even a 1.5

**"Rousseau's 'Emile': A Critique and Analysis"**

Rousseau's "Emile" is a thought-provoking work that presents his ideas on education and human nature. The book, contrary to initial expectations of a philosophical treatise on education, turns out to be a utopian novel. It reads smoothly and Rousseau brings forward several points of interest that one can either agree or disagree with.

In the preface written by the translators, it is mentioned that printers of that time had ethical issues with publishing this book, and some even did so under a pseudonym. As one delves deeper into the book, it becomes easier to understand their reluctance, especially when considering the religious beliefs of the 17th/18th century.

Rousseau starts from the premise of a natural man living in solitude in a world of abundance, where there is no concept of "ownership." However, this is a utopian view as there has never been a permanent abundance of food. If man had lived in solitude, he would have long been extinct due to hungry animals and the difficulty of finding a partner.

The natural man living in utopia has different needs and interests (and thus different character traits) than a man living in society, where food can be scarce, especially in winter, and defending a food source can mean the difference between life and death. All of this leads to the personality that Rousseau chooses for his Emile.

Rousseau believes that the misuse of property begins when someone in society has more than he needs for his own survival. That person can subject his fellows to dependence because he is the richest in exchangeable goods.

"All is good as it comes from the hands of the Creator, everything degenerates in the hands of man." - Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Rousseau realizes that there are problems with how children are currently educated and how mothers interact with their children (whether to breastfeed or not), and that all of this leads to a society with problems. He decides to publish a book describing how children should be educated (even though he has abandoned all his own children) in the hope of creating an optimal man who can uplift society.

"Let women become mothers again and soon men will again be fathers and husbands." - Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Rousseau's "Emile" is a fictional child through whom he teaches using his own educational method. However, we learn little about this method. He states that we should only teach a child what he or she is ready for, but there is no clear overview of what topics can and cannot be taught. Many things that one might not expect to be a problem, such as reading fables, can only be taught at a later age (puberty) according to Rousseau because a child cannot fully understand them.

It is also not surprising that Rousseau's "innovative" educational method yields the expected result as everything in the book is fictional, including Emile's reactions. This is a case of self-fulfilling prophecy.

"It is more important to teach him (=Emile) to live than to safeguard him from death." - Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Rousseau's ideas on education, while radical for his time, still have relevance today. They challenge us to think about how we educate our children and how we can create a more just and harmonious society.

Book 5 is truly thick with an abundance of knowledge and numerous good things that are well worth reviewing and chewing on.

It is a remarkable source of learning and exploration. I would highly desire for my daughters to carefully consider the portions dedicated to Sophie.

Her story and the lessons within it can offer valuable insights and inspiration.

Moreover, the exert of the Savoyard Vicar in book 4 is equally as good and worthy of consideration.

His teachings and ideas can provide a different perspective and add depth to the overall understanding.

Together, these elements in both books can contribute to a rich and fulfilling intellectual and personal growth experience for my daughters.

It is essential to encourage them to engage with these materials and draw out the wisdom and knowledge that lies within.

This will help them to become more informed, thoughtful, and well-rounded individuals.

I am reading this one slowly.

The reason is that its style doesn't allow for a rapid pace.

Some of the author's observations about kids' development are extremely obvious in their simplicity.

It makes me wonder why I never made these observations myself.

It's quite astonishing how something so simple can often go unnoticed.

The author seems to have a keen eye for these details that are right in front of us.

As I read through, I find myself reflecting on my own experiences and realizations.

Maybe we are all too busy or too caught up in our own lives to notice the obvious.

This book is making me more aware of the little things that matter in a child's growth and development.

It's a valuable reminder to pay closer attention and not overlook the simple yet profound aspects of a child's life.

I look forward to seeing what other insights the author has to offer as I continue reading.

Very occasionally, Rousseau says something in this book that I agree with.

Such as this:

"...But this digression, like many others, is drawing me unawares away from my subject, and my digressions are too frequent to be borne with patience."

You're spot on the money here, Rousseau old son. And here:

"Although this quotation is irrelevant, I cannot resist the temptation to transcribe it..."

but not when he continues -

"... and I think few of my readers will resent it."

I resent it. A lot!

There is not much to be said for this irritating old windbag. He is constantly digressing, which makes it difficult to follow his main argument.

Very occasionally, he lets fall a remark or tells an anecdote that raises a flicker of momentary interest (and for this reason alone the book is marginally less annoying than the hateful "Julie"), but it is soon buried in the heap of tedious verbiage.

If anyone employed Rousseau as a tutor for their children today, they would find themselves prosecuted and their children taken into care, whereas Rousseau himself would either be behind bars or undergoing compulsory psychotherapy. Probably both.

His ideas and actions are simply too extreme and dangerous to be tolerated in modern society.

Rousseau's ideas about education are truly fascinating and hold great significance.

He posits that the key is to simply direct the energy of a child or young adult, rather than attempting to alter it fundamentally. This approach gives his work a distinct flavor, almost resembling child psychology.

Nevertheless, it is essential to be cautioned that Rousseau has rather divergent views when it comes to the education of women. This makes his book a complex and somewhat paradoxical read, as it combines profound insights with elements that can be seen as insulting.

Interestingly, in numerous instances, he hits the mark with remarkable accuracy, which creates a rather strange and thought-provoking experience for the reader.

Overall, Rousseau's work on education is a rich and multi-faceted exploration that continues to spark debate and discussion even today.

Good is a simple yet powerful word. It can describe a wide range of things, from a person's character to the quality of an object.

When we say someone is good, we might mean that they are kind, honest, and helpful. A good person is someone who makes a positive impact on those around them.

Good can also refer to the quality of something. For example, a good book is one that is engaging, well-written, and thought-provoking. A good meal is one that tastes delicious and is made with fresh ingredients.

In addition, good can be used to express approval or satisfaction. When we say "That's good," we are indicating that we are happy with something or that it meets our expectations.

Overall, the word good is a versatile and important part of our vocabulary. It allows us to describe the positive aspects of the world around us and to express our appreciation for the things that make life worthwhile.

**Original Article**: The importance of exercise cannot be overemphasized. It helps to keep our bodies healthy and strong. Regular exercise can improve our cardiovascular system, increase our muscle strength, and enhance our flexibility. It also helps to reduce stress and improve our mental health. In short, exercise is essential for a happy and healthy life.

**Expanded Article**: The importance of exercise truly cannot be overemphasized.

It plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and strength of our bodies. Regular physical activity has a profound impact on various aspects of our well-being.

For instance, it significantly improves our cardiovascular system, ensuring that our heart and blood vessels function optimally. This, in turn, reduces the risk of heart diseases and other related health problems.

Moreover, exercise helps to increase our muscle strength. By engaging in activities such as weightlifting or resistance training, we can build and tone our muscles, which not only improves our physical appearance but also enhances our overall physical performance.

In addition to strengthening our muscles, exercise also enhances our flexibility. Stretching exercises and activities like yoga or Pilates can help to improve our range of motion and prevent injuries.

Furthermore, exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress and improve our mental health. When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. This helps to reduce anxiety and depression and leaves us feeling happier and more relaxed.

In conclusion, exercise is truly essential for a happy and healthy life. It is a simple yet powerful way to take care of our bodies and minds, and we should all make it a regular part of our daily routine.