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Rating(4.2 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
40(40%)
4 stars
37(37%)
3 stars
22(22%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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99 reviews
July 15,2025
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**Title: An Analysis of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's "Emile"**

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's "Emile" is a profound work that delves into the nature of education and human development. Rousseau begins by expressing his disappointment in having forgotten the purpose for which he read the book. He emphasizes the importance of the imagination and the need for a more natural approach to education.


Rousseau's ideas about education are centered around the concept of following nature. He believes that children should be allowed to develop freely, without excessive interference or protection. He criticizes the use of formalities and empty phrases in education, arguing that they can lead to a false sense of superiority and disrespect for others.


One of the key aspects of Rousseau's educational philosophy is the idea of learning through experience. He believes that children should be given the opportunity to explore and discover the world around them, rather than being taught through rote memorization. He also emphasizes the importance of teaching children moral values, such as kindness and respect for others.


However, Rousseau's ideas are not without their critics. Some have argued that his emphasis on nature and individualism忽视了社会和文化的影响. Others have pointed out that his ideas may be difficult to implement in practice, as they require a great deal of time, resources, and expertise.


Despite these criticisms, "Emile" remains an important and influential work. It challenges us to think about the nature of education and the role that it plays in shaping our lives. It also reminds us of the importance of respecting the individuality and freedom of each child, and of allowing them to develop in their own unique way.

July 15,2025
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Emile, which claims to be a manual on child education, comes from the pen of an author who chose to entrust his five children to public assistance rather than educate them himself.

So it is not a great surprise to discover that it is a very bad manual on the education of young children. In fact, we read Emile because it sheds a great deal of light on Rousseau's ideas about the innate goodness of man and how society corrupts them.

If Rousseau's ideas seem confusing to you, you should have some sympathy for the American and French revolutionaries who wanted to put Rousseau's ideas on education into practice but never understood how.

Rousseau's work, while containing some interesting concepts, has its flaws. The fact that the author of Emile didn't even take on the responsibility of educating his own children casts doubt on the practicality of his educational theories.

Nevertheless, Emile remains an important work in the history of educational thought, as it forces us to think about the role of society in shaping the individual and the importance of education in nurturing the innate goodness within us.
July 15,2025
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I give it three stars due to its value as a historical document. Otherwise, I could not award it such a rating because I am against the majority of the ideas presented in this book.

The book may have some significance in terms of providing insights into the historical context and the thoughts that prevailed during a particular period. However, many of the concepts and viewpoints expressed within its pages do not align with my own beliefs and perspectives.

Despite my disagreement with a large portion of the content, I still recognize the importance of the book as a historical artifact. It serves as a record of the intellectual climate of its time and can offer valuable lessons and perspectives for those interested in studying history.

Overall, while I cannot fully endorse the ideas in this book, I do appreciate its historical value and the role it plays in contributing to our understanding of the past.

July 15,2025
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Sí que es un texto de obligada lectura para cualquier profesional de la educación. It presents a wealth of ideas and perspectives that are still relevant today. However, it is also a text that can引发争议 and lively conversations.


Rousseau's vision of education was innovative for his time, but it was also marred by the arrogance typical of the Enlightenment thinkers. Even with just a cursory knowledge of the author's biography, it is impossible not to see the hypocrisy that pervades his discourse from beginning to end.


He advocates for an education that he did not provide to his own children. He also largely忽视了 the universal and public nature of education, despite the fact that it had already been discussed by Quintilian, Vives, and Plato.


It is true that he touches on important topics such as the work-life balance, the importance of taking children seriously despite their vulnerability, and the criticism of early medication or intervention for children with apparent signs of educational problems. Reading all of this is still a breath of fresh air even in the 21st century.


But in the end, he is really talking about an education for the few who can afford it. This limitation somewhat undermines the broader significance of his ideas.

July 15,2025
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There are perhaps only 7 people in the entire world who truly understand this profound treatise on education. It is a complex and intricate work that delves deep into the various aspects of teaching and learning.

I, for one, don't think I am among those select few just yet. The concepts and ideas presented in the treatise are so advanced and thought-provoking that they require a great deal of study and reflection to fully grasp.

As I read through it, I find myself constantly challenged and pushed to expand my own understanding of education. It makes me realize how much there is still to learn and discover in this field.

Although I may not currently be one of the 7 who understand it completely, I am determined to keep working and learning until I can come closer to that level of comprehension.
July 15,2025
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I think that this book, despite the controversy it has raised and still continues to generate around Rousseau's views on some issues, is one of the fundamental books written in the science of education.

Rousseau provides in this book advice and guidance on the education of the child and how to deal with him from his birth until his adulthood and success, and how to deal with his son and daughter.

Despite the passage of time and the change of some ideas and perspectives of people on some issues, this book still deserves to be read and is considered one of the most important books of Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

It offers valuable insights into the nature of children and the best ways to nurture and educate them, and can serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for parents, educators, and anyone interested in the field of education.
July 15,2025
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This book that he wrote under the name of child education, in my opinion, is more than an education. I got a greater pleasure from reading the parts outside of education that he separated with lines.



In the 5th section, the fact that he draws the gender difference very clearly may be natural for his era, but I can say that it was not very eye-opening for me who lives in this century.



Quotes



To live is not to breathe, but to act; it is to use all the parts of ourselves that make us aware of our existence, our organs, our emotions, our abilities.



The truly free person only desires what he can do and does what he likes. This is my basic principle.



A sane person has no incurable proof other than his pride; if there is something that can cure his pride, that is only experience.

July 15,2025
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Rousseau presents his extensive view on education, covering the journey from infancy to marriage for his one pupil. It's a complex web of ideas that surrounds us like the soup we live in.

I chose to listen to Emile with the intention of quickly grasping his general arguments and ideas, not being swayed by his charm.

Surprisingly, at times I found myself in agreement with him, much like a blind squirrel偶然 finding a nut.

However, for the most part, I firmly disagreed. His insistence on raising children like hothouse flowers, perfectly straight and without any dissent, seems completely out of touch with the reality of children.

His arguments about letting a child grow "by nature" while using their selfish desires to control them are shockingly wrong. People often cherry-pick parts of his ideas, ignoring the difficult aspects, and we can see the consequences.

I understand how some might try to apply his ideas to unschooling, but it requires very careful and hard work. Still, I just can't support the idea of tabula rasa.

He has an interesting section where he derives the idea of God from nature, but he fails to reach faith in Jesus. Then there's a long digression on which religion to follow, and he can only recommend following the religion you were born into.

His whole discussion on advising Emile about marriage and finding a suitable wife is, at best, creepy.

As I listened, I noticed several points where I thought Charlotte Mason was specifically arguing against Rousseau without naming him. It's clear that she was very familiar with his ideas, starting with the fundamental statement, "Children are born persons."
July 15,2025
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All children are afraid of masks. I begin by showing Emile the mask of a pleasant face.

This simple act can have a profound impact on a child's perception. It helps them to overcome their initial fear and start to view masks in a different light.

Remember that, before you venture undertaking to form a man, you must have made yourself a man; you must find in yourself the example you ought to offer him.

This statement emphasizes the importance of personal growth and self-reflection. As educators or parents, we need to lead by example and show children the right way to behave and think.

The Archbishop of Paris, Christophe de Beaumont, found this book "dangerous", and a "mischievous work": “it’s irreligion”; the book was burnt by the executioner; Rousseau had to leave Geneva.

This shows the power of ideas and how they can be controversial. Rousseau's ideas challenged the status quo and were seen as a threat by some. However, his work also had a significant impact on the development of modern education and philosophy.
July 15,2025
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When we are shown scenes of hungry children in Africa, with an appeal for us to do something to help them, the underlying ideological message is something like this: "Don't think, don't politicize, forget the true causes of their poverty; just act, contribute economically so that you don't have to think!" Rousseau already understood perfectly the falsehood of the multiculturalist admirers of foreign cultures when, in Emilio, he warned against "the philosopher who loves the Tartars so that he can be dispensed from loving his neighbors."

This idea is widely discussed in "Sin fines de lucro" by Martha C. Nussbaum. It shows how such appeals often simplify complex issues and prevent us from truly understanding and addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality. We should not be content with just providing economic aid but should also strive to understand the political, social, and historical contexts that have led to these situations. Only by doing so can we hope to make a more lasting and meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.

"Viviendo en el Final de los tiempos" by Slavoj Žižek also touches on related themes.
July 15,2025
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For every father, before starting to educate his child, I suggest reading to him.

Reading is a wonderful activity that can have a profound impact on a child's development. It not only helps to improve their language skills but also enhances their imagination, creativity, and cognitive abilities.

By reading to your child, you are exposing them to different worlds, ideas, and cultures. This can broaden their perspective and make them more open-minded and empathetic. Moreover, reading together can create a special bond between you and your child, which can last a lifetime.

So, take some time every day to read to your child. It doesn't matter what you read, as long as it interests them. You can start with simple picture books and gradually move on to more complex stories as they grow older. Make it a fun and enjoyable experience, and watch as your child's love for reading blossoms.
July 15,2025
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Rousseau can be considered as the first to take the educational process out of the framework of the model or the duplication of rules, or even the curricular framework in the best cases, and liberate it from the clutches of American capitalists who mainly aim at profit and form only the external appearance of the child.

Moreover, he was the first to call for letting nature take its course in the different stages of education and not to rush to form what should be left to nature to form when it wishes. Nor should we hesitate to reveal what should be revealed early, but the revelation should not come suddenly, but we should make it seem natural, not artificial, and in a gentle rather than a violent form.

Also, Rousseau was the first to base education on the basis of freedom, not on so-called knowledge or on wasted virtue.

And from this book, Kant learned a great deal, and many of Rousseau's ideas can be seen in his books and in his critical philosophy. He himself acknowledges the superiority of Rousseau's thought.
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