hich each individual has a hand in making - even if it goes against their private of personal interests. For example, suppose we have a large income, we might support a political party that proposes to tax us heavily because we can see the benefit that this taxation can bring to all. To this extend, Rousseau believed that the good individual, or citizen, should not put their private ambition first. He also believed this way of living could promote liberty and equality. But, if "general will" was put over the individual or "particular" will, then there needs to be safeguards against the exploitation of individuals and minorities. Rousseau's belief in liberty, equality, and fraternity may go some way in counteracting the dangers of the general will, but others have twisted the notion so that the majority rules the minority. It just depends who has the power to define or interpret the general will, which is normally the majority.And the third book he wrote being Emile (May1762), a classic statement of education. The "heretical" discussion of religion in Emile caused Rousseau problems with the Church of France. In this book, he states:the first requirement of the education of the true individual is a rural setting. There, a child will be free from the influence of the "arbitrary" will of socialized adults. Rather than learning to conform to the whims of society, the child learns to test him or herself against the physical necessity of nature. In this way the limits of natural freedom are discovered by direct experience.Rousseau also felt that education should be progressive. That the child's education be a prolonged experience of things rather than an introduction to ideas. The book was burned in a number of places. Within a month Rousseau had to leave France for Switzerland. He was unable to return to Geneva because his citizenship was revoked as a result of the commotion of the book, Emile. In 1766 he went to England at the...
