Education for Man and Citizen in Rousseau

Abstract

This talk will begin by exploring Rousseau's distinction between education for man and citizen, based on Emile and The Social Contract. Crucial in this respect are the distinctions between self-sufficiency and dependence, existing for oneself and others, as well as between two forms of self-love: amour de soi-même and amour propre. The question will be can these two educational models be reconciled in Rousseau's philosophy, and how, as well as what can that tell us about the relation between individual and society. The key issue to be explored concerning this is what it means to educate for freedom and whether such an education breeds a lack of societal responsibility. Next, implications will be drawn for the idea of republican education. Rousseau's preference for domestic education over public education will be critically compared with the argument in favor of public education as providing a necessary common ground in a pluralist society. Finally, the talk will analyze challenges faced by contemporary republics related to the role of the state in education and the ensuing conflicts over the educational content imparted in schools. Rousseau's rich insights can serve as a springboard for exploring the republican educational ideal, offering valuable reflections on the intricate interplay between individual freedom and societal obligations in contemporary republics.