Rousseau

Real World Example

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher whose ideas significantly influenced the Enlightenment, a period that emphasized reason and individualism over tradition. He wrote about the importance of freedom and equality, and his work, "The Social Contract," argued that governments should serve the will of the people, which inspired revolutionary ideas during the American Revolution. Rousseau's belief that legitimate political authority relies on the consent of the governed was crucial in shaping modern democratic ideals. Today, his ideas still inspire people to value individual rights and question unjust authority. For example, when people protest for social justice or advocate for democratic reforms, they are echoing Rousseau's belief in the power of the people to shape their own destinies.