1. Jean Jacques Rousseau and Human Nature Political and moral philosophy in Lord of the Flies

2. Biographical Details Rousseau was born in the Calvinist city- state of Geneva in 1712. Rousseau was born in the Calvinist city- state of Geneva in 1712. He was born to Isaac Rousseau; a watchmaker, and Suzanne Rousseau, who died nine days after his birth. He was born to Isaac Rousseau; a watchmaker, and Suzanne Rousseau, who died nine days after his birth. Raised by his father, he attempted to become a Catholic priest and later a musician. Raised by his father, he attempted to become a Catholic priest and later a musician.

3. Biographical Details Rousseau married a barely literate laundry maid and had five children. These children were given to the local foundling hospital (a sort of orphanage), which at the time was a virtual death sentence. Rousseau married a barely literate laundry maid and had five children. These children were given to the local foundling hospital (a sort of orphanage), which at the time was a virtual death sentence. The writer and philosopher Voltaire later criticized him for the abandonment of his children. The writer and philosopher Voltaire later criticized him for the abandonment of his children.

4. Political / Moral Philosophy Rousseau’s central idea was that man, inspired by the call of nature, in general is good, but that society (competition / inequality) leads to corruption of the individual. Rousseau’s central idea was that man, inspired by the call of nature, in general is good, but that society (competition / inequality) leads to corruption of the individual. This philosophy is discussed in works by Rousseau such as, A Dissertation on the Origin and Foundation of the Inequality of Mankind”. In his essay he states that those who grow up in societies are weaker than, and not as strong as, those who grew up and have lived in a natural, primitive state. This philosophy is discussed in works by Rousseau such as, A Dissertation on the Origin and Foundation of the Inequality of Mankind”. In his essay he states that those who grow up in societies are weaker than, and not as strong as, those who grew up and have lived in a natural, primitive state.

5. The Lord of the Flies Rousseau’s philosophy is tested in The Lord of the Flies when the boys split themselves into two tribes and duplicate society. Rousseau’s philosophy is tested in The Lord of the Flies when the boys split themselves into two tribes and duplicate society. Society, in Rousseau's eyes, is the reason that we have become weak and dependent on certain people to guide and lead us. He argues that society causes your senses to be weakened. Society also makes people fragile, timid, and dependent on others. Society, in Rousseau's eyes, is the reason that we have become weak and dependent on certain people to guide and lead us. He argues that society causes your senses to be weakened. Society also makes people fragile, timid, and dependent on others.

6. The Lord of the Flies Rousseau signifies his opinion on society by saying, "The horse, the cat, the bull, and even the ass are generally of greater stature, and always more robust, and have more vigour, strength and courage, when they run wild in the forests than when bred in the stall" (Rousseau 6). Rousseau signifies his opinion on society by saying, "The horse, the cat, the bull, and even the ass are generally of greater stature, and always more robust, and have more vigour, strength and courage, when they run wild in the forests than when bred in the stall" (Rousseau 6).

7. The Lord of the Flies Rousseau is saying that we were much better off in the wild than in a society. In society we are like the domesticated animal and are not free to do as nature intended us. All of our naturally good characteristics, such as strength and courage, are pulled away because of society. It is because of society that negative virtues like jealousy started. Rousseau is saying that we were much better off in the wild than in a society. In society we are like the domesticated animal and are not free to do as nature intended us. All of our naturally good characteristics, such as strength and courage, are pulled away because of society. It is because of society that negative virtues like jealousy started.