Cover of Emile

Emile

by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

First published
1762
Reading level
Plain English
Price
Free

About the book

"Emile" by Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a treatise written in 1762 on education and human nature. Through the story of a boy named Emile and his tutor, Rousseau explores how individuals can preserve their natural goodness while living in corrupt society. The work presents a radical educational philosophy emphasizing physical development, sensory learning, and emotional growth across five books. Banned and burned upon publication for its controversial religious views, it later inspired revolutionary educational reforms in France and America.

  • Education

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #5427. Emile on Wikipedia.

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