Introductory Note

Jean Jacques Rousseau was born at Geneva, June 28, 1712, the son of a watchmaker of French origin. His education was irregular, and though he tried many professions—including engraving, music, and teaching—he found it difficult to support himself in any of them. The discovery of his talent as a writer came with the winning of a prize offered by the Academy of Dijon for a discourse on the question, "Whether the progress of the sciences and of letters has tended to corrupt or to elevate morals." He argued so brilliantly that the tendency of civilization was degrading that he became at once famous. The discourse here printed on the causes of inequality among men was written in a similar competition.

Jean Jacques Rousseau was born in Geneva on June 28, 1712, the son of a watchmaker of French origin. His education was irregular. Although he tried many professions, including engraving, music, and teaching, he struggled to support himself in any of them. His writing talent emerged when he won a prize offered by the Academy of Dijon for an essay. The essay addressed the question, "Has progress in science and literature tended to corrupt or improve morals?" He argued so brilliantly that civilization tended to degrade morals that he immediately became famous. The essay presented here, on the causes of inequality among people, was written for a similar competition.

He now concentrated his powers upon literature, producing two novels, "La Nouvelle Heloise," the forerunner and parent of endless sentimental and picturesque fictions; and "Emile, ou l'Education," a work which has had enormous influence on the theory and practise of pedagogy down to our own time and in which the Savoyard Vicar appears, who is used as the mouthpiece for Rousseau's own religious ideas. "Le Contrat Social" (1762) elaborated the doctrine of the discourse on inequality. Both historically and philosophically it is unsound; but it was the chief literary source of the enthusiasm for liberty, fraternity, and equality, which inspired the leaders of the French Revolution, and its effects passed far beyond France.

He now focused his energies on literature and wrote two novels. "La Nouvelle Heloise" paved the way for countless sentimental novels filled with picturesque scenes. "Emile, ou l'Education," has had an enormous influence on educational theory and practice down to our own time. The Savoyard Vicar appears in this novel as the spokesman for Rousseau's own religious ideas. "Le Contrat Social" (1762) developed the ideas set out in the discourse on inequality. The work is unsound both historically and philosophically. But it was the main literary source of the enthusiasm for liberty, fraternity, and equality that inspired the French Revolution's leaders. Its influence reached far beyond France.

His most famous work, the "Confessions," was published after his death. This book is a mine of information as to his life, but it is far from trustworthy; and the picture it gives of the author's personality and conduct, though painted in such a way as to make it absorbingly interesting, is often unpleasing in the highest degree. But it is one of the great autobiographies of the world.

His most famous work, the "Confessions," was published after his death. The book offers a wealth of information about his life, but it is far from reliable. And although its portrayal of the author's personality and behavior is deeply engaging, that portrayal is often extremely unpleasant. But the book remains one of the world's great autobiographies.

During Rousseau's later years he was the victim of the delusion of persecution; and although he was protected by a succession of good friends, he came to distrust and quarrel with each in turn. He died at Ermenonville, near Paris, July 2, 1778, the most widely influential French writer of his age.

In his later years, Rousseau suffered from the delusion that he was being persecuted. Although several good friends protected him in turn, he came to distrust and quarrel with each one. He died at Ermenonville, near Paris, on July 2, 1778. He was the most widely influential French writer of his age.

The Savoyard Vicar and his "Profession of Faith" are introduced into "Emile" not, according to the author, because he wishes to exhibit his principles as those which should be taught, but to give an example of the way in which religious matters should be discussed with the young. Nevertheless, it is universally recognized that these opinions are Rousseau's own, and represent in short form his characteristic attitude toward religious belief. The Vicar himself is believed to combine the traits of two Savoyard priests whom Rousseau knew in his youth. The more important was the Abbe Gaime, whom he had known at Turin; the other, the Abbe Gatier, who had taught him at Annecy.

The Savoyard Vicar and his "Profession of Faith" appear in "Emile" for a specific purpose, according to the author. Rousseau says he does not intend to present his principles as beliefs that should be taught. Instead, he aims to show how religious matters should be discussed with young people. Nevertheless, everyone recognizes these opinions as Rousseau's own. They briefly express his characteristic attitude toward religious belief. The Vicar himself is believed to combine traits of two Savoyard priests Rousseau knew in his youth. The more important was the Abbe Gaime, whom Rousseau had known in Turin. The other was the Abbe Gatier, who had taught Rousseau in Annecy.