Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778), a Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer, profoundly influenced the Enlightenment and Romanticism. His tumultuous Life, filled with personal scandals and philosophical breakthroughs, shaped his introspective Nature. "Confessions," published posthumously in the 1780s, emerged in a Period of burgeoning Individualism and intense philosophical debate. Initially met with shock and admiration for its candid Exploration of personal Experience and Emotion, it challenged conventional notions of privacy and Self. Over Time, "Confessions" became a cornerstone of autobiographical Literature, inspiring introspective narratives and affecting fields from Psychoanalysis to literature. Its raw Honesty and exploration of the self have resonated globally, influencing figures like Leo Tolstoy and impacting diverse Intellectual Movements beyond its era.
Guiding Question
What truths emerge when we strip away the masks we wear for others and ourselves?