Enlightenment Essay
Thomas Jefferson and Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s views on education, government, and human nature
Even though they lived in a similar time period, Thomas Jefferson and Jean-Jacques Rousseau had different views on the philosophy of education and human nature. Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743, and was elected in 1801 to be the third president of the United States. Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born in 1712. He was a philosopher and a writer. Thomas Jefferson and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were very different people, but they share some similar beliefs about education, government, and human nature.
Thomas Jefferson and Jean-Jacques Rousseau both had similar views on the importance of education to a society. “Well-informed people can be trusted with self-government,” (Virginia Republic). Jefferson believed that educated people could govern themselves. During his presidency he had experience dealing with educated and uneducated people so he could see how much education can change people’s opinions. Rousseau believed that if people didn’t know about evils, then they could be protected against them. “…a view of children as very different to adults - as innocent, vulnerable, slow to mature - and entitled to freedom and happiness,” (infed.org). Rousseau believed that children were innocent and therefore should be allowed to have freedom and happiness, before their innocence was ruined by being educated. Although their views on education were different, both philosophers thought that once someone in a society knew about something, everyone should be educated to prevent false information from spreading. “…essential to give them a solid education which might enable them, when become mothers, to educate their own daughters...,” (Virginia Republic). Thomas understood that once someone was educated, no one can take that away, and it will be passed on. Jefferson and Rousseau’s views on education were slightly different, but their ideas of government had more similarities.
Although Rousseau believed in a more general government, the two philosophers had very similar views. “Eighteenth-century political philosophers concerned themselves with the balance between the restrictions needed to make a government function and the individual liberties guaranteed by that government…,” (Virginia Republic). Thomas Jefferson believed that government should exist to guide citizens, but people should have a say in the choices they make. Thomas believes in more of an individualized government that helps all people, while Rousseau believes that individuals’ needs could be sacrificed for the benefit of the commonwealth. “…first, that political institutions should serve the community of citizens and not the most powerful social minority; it means, second, that the government’s mission, if it is republican, is not to amass state power and wealth for itself, but to ensure that this economic and social power is best suited to the desire for equality expressed by the general will,” (Republic of Letters). Rousseau thought that government should support the commonwealth, not individuals. Thomas and Rousseau both believed in the importance of government, but their ideas of how it should be run were different. “… whenever citizens want to use their general will to make particular decisions in the name of the social body, they are condemned to make mistakes and commit injustices toward their fellow citizens,” (Republic of Letters). Because of Rousseau’s more negative believes on human nature, he was doubtful they could make the correct choices. While Thomas and Rousseau somewhat agree about government, their ideas on human nature directly contradict.
Thomas Jefferson and Rousseau’s beliefs on human nature are definitely different, but our community can still learn from their ideas of human nature. “…He assumed that informed citizens could make good decisions for themselves and their country,” (Background on Thomas Jefferson). Thomas Jefferson’s Ideas of human nature go side by side with his views of the importance of education. He felt that education was very important to help humans make good decisions. Rousseau’s beliefs of human nature were almost the opposite of Thomas Jefferson’s. “For Rousseau, the ‘State of Nature’ is much more than just a removal of government, it is the removal of all ‘cultural clothes’ including beliefs, language and even an understanding of ourselves. At this level of development Rousseau believed that self-love and pity are the only sentiments that remain in our nature; that we are solitary, and have no desire for power because there would be nobody to have power over…,” (Vs. Rousseau). Both Jefferson and Rousseau have positive views of human nature, however Rousseau’s have been described as ignorant. “…Rousseau has been criticized because of his naïve view of human nature,” (Vs. Rousseau). Rousseau probably underestimates the importance of education because he was not educated well as a child. Jefferson and Rousseau both have ‘positive’ views of human nature, but they are still very different.
Although Thomas Jefferson and Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s beliefs were not always the same, we can still learn a lot through their studies. It is important to look back on the beliefs of past leaders because we still can’t seem to answer the questions they were posing. Is education helping or hurting our community?
Bibliography
"Jean-jacques Rousseau on Nature, Wholeness and Education." Jean-jacques Rousseau on Nature, Wholeness and Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-rous.htm>.
"Thomas Jefferson: Virginia Republic | Exhibitions - Library of Congress." Thomas Jefferson: Virginia Republic | Exhibitions - Library of Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jeffrep.html>.
"Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson." Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://mrkash.com/activities/hamiltonjefferson.html>.
"Thomas Jefferson." The White House. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/thomasjefferson>.
"Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson." Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://mrkash.com/activities/hamiltonjefferson.html>.
"Educational Theory of Thomas Jefferson." Educational Theory of Thomas Jefferson. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.newfoundations.com/GALLERY/Jefferson.html>.
"Thomas Jefferson." Thomas Jefferson. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/thomasjefferson.html>.
"Thomas Jefferson." Thomas Jefferson. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/USRA_Jefferson.htm>.
"Facts on Thomas Jefferson." Facts on Thomas Jefferson. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/facts-on-thomas-jefferson.html>.
Hale, Daryl. "Thomas Jefferson: Sublime Or Sublimated Philosopher?." International Social Science Review 72.3/4 (1997): 75. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.
Hatzenbuehler, Ronald. "Questioning Whether Thomas Jefferson Was The 'Father' Of American Archaeology." History & Anthropology 22.1 (2011): 121-129. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.
MATTHEWS, RICHARD K. "The Radical Political Philosophy Of Thomas Jefferson: An Essay In Retrieval." Midwest Studies In Philosophy 28.1 (2004): 37-57. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.
Robinson, Daniel N. "The Scottish Enlightenment And The American Founding." Monist 90.2 (2007): 170-181. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.
Rebok, Sandra. "Two Exponents Of The Enlightenment: Transatlantic Communication By Thomas Jefferson And Alexander Von Humboldt." Southern Quarterly 43.4 (2006): 126-152. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.
Barash, David. "Hobbs Vs. Rousseau." Portal.com. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://portal.jarbury.net/essay/rousseau.html>.
"Governing a Republic: Rousseau's General Will and the Problem of Government."ARCADE: Literature, the Humanities, and the World. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2012. <http://arcade.stanford.edu/journals/rofl/articles/governing-republic-rousseau’s-general-will-and-problem-government-by-luc-foisneau>.
Even though they lived in a similar time period, Thomas Jefferson and Jean-Jacques Rousseau had different views on the philosophy of education and human nature. Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743, and was elected in 1801 to be the third president of the United States. Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born in 1712. He was a philosopher and a writer. Thomas Jefferson and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were very different people, but they share some similar beliefs about education, government, and human nature.
Thomas Jefferson and Jean-Jacques Rousseau both had similar views on the importance of education to a society. “Well-informed people can be trusted with self-government,” (Virginia Republic). Jefferson believed that educated people could govern themselves. During his presidency he had experience dealing with educated and uneducated people so he could see how much education can change people’s opinions. Rousseau believed that if people didn’t know about evils, then they could be protected against them. “…a view of children as very different to adults - as innocent, vulnerable, slow to mature - and entitled to freedom and happiness,” (infed.org). Rousseau believed that children were innocent and therefore should be allowed to have freedom and happiness, before their innocence was ruined by being educated. Although their views on education were different, both philosophers thought that once someone in a society knew about something, everyone should be educated to prevent false information from spreading. “…essential to give them a solid education which might enable them, when become mothers, to educate their own daughters...,” (Virginia Republic). Thomas understood that once someone was educated, no one can take that away, and it will be passed on. Jefferson and Rousseau’s views on education were slightly different, but their ideas of government had more similarities.
Although Rousseau believed in a more general government, the two philosophers had very similar views. “Eighteenth-century political philosophers concerned themselves with the balance between the restrictions needed to make a government function and the individual liberties guaranteed by that government…,” (Virginia Republic). Thomas Jefferson believed that government should exist to guide citizens, but people should have a say in the choices they make. Thomas believes in more of an individualized government that helps all people, while Rousseau believes that individuals’ needs could be sacrificed for the benefit of the commonwealth. “…first, that political institutions should serve the community of citizens and not the most powerful social minority; it means, second, that the government’s mission, if it is republican, is not to amass state power and wealth for itself, but to ensure that this economic and social power is best suited to the desire for equality expressed by the general will,” (Republic of Letters). Rousseau thought that government should support the commonwealth, not individuals. Thomas and Rousseau both believed in the importance of government, but their ideas of how it should be run were different. “… whenever citizens want to use their general will to make particular decisions in the name of the social body, they are condemned to make mistakes and commit injustices toward their fellow citizens,” (Republic of Letters). Because of Rousseau’s more negative believes on human nature, he was doubtful they could make the correct choices. While Thomas and Rousseau somewhat agree about government, their ideas on human nature directly contradict.
Thomas Jefferson and Rousseau’s beliefs on human nature are definitely different, but our community can still learn from their ideas of human nature. “…He assumed that informed citizens could make good decisions for themselves and their country,” (Background on Thomas Jefferson). Thomas Jefferson’s Ideas of human nature go side by side with his views of the importance of education. He felt that education was very important to help humans make good decisions. Rousseau’s beliefs of human nature were almost the opposite of Thomas Jefferson’s. “For Rousseau, the ‘State of Nature’ is much more than just a removal of government, it is the removal of all ‘cultural clothes’ including beliefs, language and even an understanding of ourselves. At this level of development Rousseau believed that self-love and pity are the only sentiments that remain in our nature; that we are solitary, and have no desire for power because there would be nobody to have power over…,” (Vs. Rousseau). Both Jefferson and Rousseau have positive views of human nature, however Rousseau’s have been described as ignorant. “…Rousseau has been criticized because of his naïve view of human nature,” (Vs. Rousseau). Rousseau probably underestimates the importance of education because he was not educated well as a child. Jefferson and Rousseau both have ‘positive’ views of human nature, but they are still very different.
Although Thomas Jefferson and Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s beliefs were not always the same, we can still learn a lot through their studies. It is important to look back on the beliefs of past leaders because we still can’t seem to answer the questions they were posing. Is education helping or hurting our community?
Bibliography
"Jean-jacques Rousseau on Nature, Wholeness and Education." Jean-jacques Rousseau on Nature, Wholeness and Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-rous.htm>.
"Thomas Jefferson: Virginia Republic | Exhibitions - Library of Congress." Thomas Jefferson: Virginia Republic | Exhibitions - Library of Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jeffrep.html>.
"Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson." Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://mrkash.com/activities/hamiltonjefferson.html>.
"Thomas Jefferson." The White House. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/thomasjefferson>.
"Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson." Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://mrkash.com/activities/hamiltonjefferson.html>.
"Educational Theory of Thomas Jefferson." Educational Theory of Thomas Jefferson. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.newfoundations.com/GALLERY/Jefferson.html>.
"Thomas Jefferson." Thomas Jefferson. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/thomasjefferson.html>.
"Thomas Jefferson." Thomas Jefferson. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/USRA_Jefferson.htm>.
"Facts on Thomas Jefferson." Facts on Thomas Jefferson. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/facts-on-thomas-jefferson.html>.
Hale, Daryl. "Thomas Jefferson: Sublime Or Sublimated Philosopher?." International Social Science Review 72.3/4 (1997): 75. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.
Hatzenbuehler, Ronald. "Questioning Whether Thomas Jefferson Was The 'Father' Of American Archaeology." History & Anthropology 22.1 (2011): 121-129. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.
MATTHEWS, RICHARD K. "The Radical Political Philosophy Of Thomas Jefferson: An Essay In Retrieval." Midwest Studies In Philosophy 28.1 (2004): 37-57. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.
Robinson, Daniel N. "The Scottish Enlightenment And The American Founding." Monist 90.2 (2007): 170-181. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.
Rebok, Sandra. "Two Exponents Of The Enlightenment: Transatlantic Communication By Thomas Jefferson And Alexander Von Humboldt." Southern Quarterly 43.4 (2006): 126-152. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.
Barash, David. "Hobbs Vs. Rousseau." Portal.com. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://portal.jarbury.net/essay/rousseau.html>.
"Governing a Republic: Rousseau's General Will and the Problem of Government."ARCADE: Literature, the Humanities, and the World. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2012. <http://arcade.stanford.edu/journals/rofl/articles/governing-republic-rousseau’s-general-will-and-problem-government-by-luc-foisneau>.