Rousseau’s Arguments in The Confessions
Human Nature and the Corrupting Influence of Society
Jean-Jacques Rousseau presents his autobiography in The Confessions through a philosophical reflection of his life experiences. The work addresses arguments on how the author’s life experiences and environment influenced his growth and development. One of the key arguments presented in the book is that human beings are born good and pure, but society and the process of civilization have negatively affected them. This has led people to become greedy, selfish, and competitive rather than to be kind to one another.
This is evident as Rousseau describes his employer, who did not allow him to pursue his abilities but instead used him for his own benefit (23). The protagonist indicates that the job led him to develop vices he had naturally despised, making him stay idle, lie, and steal from others. This indicates that the protagonist was naturally a good person, but the circumstances his boss exposed him to made him change. In this case, people need to restore their nature and avoid adhering to artificial social norms to achieve natural happiness.
Critique of Traditional Education and Individual Development
Another primary argument presented in the book is that the traditional education methods children were exposed to were inappropriate. The different forms of education the children in the book are exposed to do not allow them to develop and explore their abilities. The manner in which Rousseau describes the type of education that the protagonist and another child were to undergo indicates that it was not helpful at all (13).
The author indicates that they were to learn Latin alongside the insignificant trash that had come to be called education (13). The protagonist’s education limited his ability to be enterprising with women after becoming a man, as his teacher had given him only innocent ideas. There is a need for an education system that addresses each child’s needs to ensure they can develop their abilities.
Equality, Government Responsibility, and Social Cooperation
The book also emphasizes the need for people to give up their individual needs to maintain a functioning society. The government should also consider treating all people equally rather than advancing the ruling class’s interests. The rights and freedoms of all persons within a society should be protected.
The importance of the government protecting all persons is seen in Rousseau’s life as an author in France (260). Even though the protagonist is a stranger in France, he finds the situation favorable for him to speak the truth. He acknowledges that the French government could send him away, but still allowed him to publish his works.
Rousseau’s Arguments in Relation to the Philosophy of Communication
The key arguments presented in the book relate to the philosophy of communication. The author’s emphasis on the government’s responsibility to protect the rights and freedoms of all persons aligns with the philosophy of communication, which requires people to express themselves freely and engage in dialogue. In this case, people should not be limited from expressing their views even if they intend to criticize the government. Having an education system that addresses each child’s needs and interests promotes the philosophy of communication by enhancing individual abilities. Learners are likely to develop the communication skills needed to express themselves effectively.
Work Cited
Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. The Confessions. Feedbooks, 1768.