Rousseau wrote in his book Emile that all children are perfectly designed organisms, ready to learn from their surroundings so as to grow into virtuous adults, but due to the malign influence of corrupt society, they often fail to do so (Wikipedia, Philosophy of Education)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the famous philosopher born in Geneva, Switzerland (as was I) touched a raw nerve in education when he says that society (read parents and family) corrupt the righteous path that children are born to follow. Whether they are born tabula rasa (Locke), or preying on the innocent according to Freud (through the Id) or with goodness in their genes (much more likely), there is no doubt that our kids at times do not fulfill their potential and become antisocial or passive-aggressive or uncaring. Except for obvious causes such as catastrophic genetic mutations or brain damage, human newborns are perfectly designed organisms (sic) who should become model citizens and parents. But not all do, and that’s the crux of Rousseau’s message. As a sad analogy, dog owners who systematically beat their animals create ferocious monsters who may attack their own masters as shown in too many tragic incidents.
jcsprenger
