The 18th century Enlightenment period was undeniably a historical viewpoint that advocated for greater decency in society. During its beginnings, many intellectuals referred as the “philosophes” emerged in France, and used the ideas of the Scientific Revolution to reconsider all aspects of society. The German philosopher Immanuel Kant defined the Enlightenment as “a man’s leaving his self-caused immaturity” (What Is Enlightenment?). Kant even proclaimed as the maxim of the Enlightenment: “Dare to Know! Have the courage to use your own intelligence!” For most philosophes, the concept of the Enlightenment, meant freeing oneself from old notions and pointless traditions, which were often seen in organized religion at that time, particularly Christianity.
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Although Emile was a novel, it still showcased Rousseau’s expositional style because Rousseau’s main concern in the novel, was that education should let children express their feelings. For the first time, Rousseau introduces a new concept to the movement, which is not all about being rational, but a having balance between sentiment and reason. This idea made him the father of Romanticism, another movement that became prominent in Europe at the beginning of the 19th century. Eventually,the novel became one of the Enlightenment’s most influential books on education. However, some of the things Rousseau wrote in his novel were often sexist, which sparked controversy among many women in the Enlightenment. For instance, Rousseau perceived women as different from men: “To fulfill functions, an appropriate physical constitution is necessary to her...she needs a soft sedentary life to suckle her babies.” In Emile, Sophie who was the main character’s wife, was educated for her role as a housewife by learning submissiveness that would provide care for her spouse and children. Despite this novel being controversial and perhaps damaging Rousseau’s reputation among many women in the Enlightenment, it made the ideas of gender an important concern in the movement. Nevertheless, some Enlightenment thinkers advocated gender equality. French philosopher Diderot maintained that men were not superior to women, and even Voltaire believed that women were just as intellectually capable as men. Yet, the strongest argument for the rights of women in the 18th century was led by Mary
Although Emile was a novel, it still showcased Rousseau’s expositional style because Rousseau’s main concern in the novel, was that education should let children express their feelings. For the first time, Rousseau introduces a new concept to the movement, which is not all about being rational, but a having balance between sentiment and reason. This idea made him the father of Romanticism, another movement that became prominent in Europe at the beginning of the 19th century. Eventually,the novel became one of the Enlightenment’s most influential books on education. However, some of the things Rousseau wrote in his novel were often sexist, which sparked controversy among many women in the Enlightenment. For instance, Rousseau perceived women as different from men: “To fulfill functions, an appropriate physical constitution is necessary to her...she needs a soft sedentary life to suckle her babies.” In Emile, Sophie who was the main character’s wife, was educated for her role as a housewife by learning submissiveness that would provide care for her spouse and children. Despite this novel being controversial and perhaps damaging Rousseau’s reputation among many women in the Enlightenment, it made the ideas of gender an important concern in the movement. Nevertheless, some Enlightenment thinkers advocated gender equality. French philosopher Diderot maintained that men were not superior to women, and even Voltaire believed that women were just as intellectually capable as men. Yet, the strongest argument for the rights of women in the 18th century was led by Mary