Volume 27, Issue 1, 2017
Values and Ideals. Theory and Practice: Part II
Ruth A. Burch
Pages 189-198
On Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Ideal of Natural Education
The aim of this contribution is to critically explore the understanding, the goals and the meaning of education in the philosophy of education by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In his educational novel Emile: or On Education [Emile ou De l’éducation] (1762) he depicts his account of the natural education. Rousseau argues that all humans share one and the same development process which is independent of their social background. He regards education as an active process of perfection which is curiosity-driven and intrinsic to each child. Rousseau’s educational goals are autarky, happiness and freedom.