Educational Philosophy in the French Enlightenment: From Nature to Second Nature

by Natasha Gill

Overview

Natasha Gill offers the first comprehensive analysis of French educational thought before Rousseau. She situates Emile in the context of a pedagogical debate that had been under way for a century before its publication, reveals the importance of key transitional figures such as Étienne-Gabriel Morelly, and shows how French theorists came to see education as a vehicle through which individual liberation, social harmony and political unity could be achieved.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781409481263
Publisher:	Ashgate Publishing Ltd
Publication date:	06/28/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	18 MB
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About the Author

Natasha Gill is research associate at Barnard College, Columbia University.

Table of Contents

Introduction / Part 1 The Educational Philosophy of John Locke: Prologue: Locke's educational theory in relation to his philosophical and political thought / The natural external: Locke's Some Thoughts Concerning Edication / Locke: father of social engineering or champion of liberty in education? / Part 2 Early Enlightenment Educational Theory: Claude Fleury, Charles Rollin and Jean-Pierre de Crousaz: Prologue: some sources of French educational thought and the legacy of the Jesuits / Childhood and education in the works of Claude Fleury, Charles Rollin and Jean-Pierre de Crousaz / 'The limits of reform' and the concept of utility in Fleury, Rollin, Crousaz and Mme de Lambert / Part 3 The Educational Philosophy of Étienne-Gabriel Morelly: Prologue: educational theory at mid-century / Morelly and individual education Essai sur l'esprit humain / Morelly and social education Essai sur le coeur humain / Morelly and the politicization of education / Part 4 The Helvétius-Rousseau Controversy: Prologue: the scandal over Helvétius's De l'Esprit and the origins of the Helvétius-Rousseau controversy / Helvétius's De l'Esprit: the argument for full equality / Rousseau's Emile, Books I–III: individual education / Emile, Books IV–V, and Emile et Sophie, ou les solitaires: social and moral education / Part 5 The Crisis of 1762: 'Children Belong to the State': Prologue: the expulsion of the Jesuits and the educational reformers of the 1760s / The influence of educational-philosophical concepts on the reform plans of the 1760s / Conclusion: disciples and critics: the impact of French Enlightenment educational thought / Appendices / Works cited / Index

Editorial Reviews

'In her thoroughly enjoyable book, Natasha Gill explores the many complexities in Enlightenment educational thought. Between nature and culture, politics and ethics, these philosophers understood that no society could function without an ambitious educational agenda. In this very well-researched study of eighteenth-century pedagogical debates, Natasha Gill demonstrates with impeccable clarity how Enlightenment views on education are still relevant today, and how much we still need them.' Anne Deneys-Tunney, Professor of French at New York University.

'At a time when some argue that the broader notion of ‘education’ is once again under threat of being reduced to utilitarian ‘instruction’, Natasha Gill’s intelligent and wide-ranging study helpfully reveals the intellectual origins of this debate as it was framed by the educational theorists of the French Enlightenment.' French Studies

'Philosophers mulling over questions of human potential and improvement have long found pedagogical philosophy appealing and have argued that education represents the best chance to reform society… [this book is] an excellent survey of pedagogical literature… Enlightenment historians will benefit from the careful study of educational philosophy in all of its rich complexity.' H-Albion

'Readers are bound to be impressed by Gill’s extensive knowledge and thorough scholarship… Gill takes particular care to set the works and authors studied in their particular social, cultural and political milieu. The comprehensive quality of the volume and its exhaustive treatment of the subject are its unequivocal strengths… scholars of Enlightenment education will appreciate the meticulous analysis and the painstaking comparisons between theories, methods, and principles of various authors.' H-France

'Gill […] manages to nuance claims of Rousseau’s originality and innovativeness by unfolding a rich landscape of philosophical crops sown by Locke and cultivated by several educational theorists preceding Rousseau… Drawing on a pioneering interpretation of Rousseau’s less well-known book Emile and Sophie, ou les solitaires, Gill not only nuances the latter’s image as an educational Columbus, but also shows how he did not manage to reconcile his pedagogical goal of negative education with his social goal of designing a society in which people can live as free individuals.' Sanne Parlevliet in Paedagogica Historica

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