Jean-Jacques Rousseau: “some other, different kind of reason”

Abstract

In his Confessions, Emil, and philosophical and social writings, Rousseau sketches a mental human development concept that differs from the Enlightenment postulate of rationality and education. The Emil and the Confessions include the concept of education, holistically developing all areas of the mind. Rousseau emphasizes in it the harmonious development of mental dispositions of a child, adolescent and young adult, including the role and importance of consciencia, pre-rational awareness, and at the same time, an innate sense of justice. The pedagogical and anthropological concept outlined in the Emil builds heavily on his own childhood experiences as described by Rousseau in his Confessions and paves the way for “multiple intelligence”.