Jean-Jacques Rousseau was an influential philosopher of the 18th century, known for his ideas on education, politics, and human nature. His most famous work, The Social Contract, argues that legitimate political authority relies on a social contract agreed upon by the governed. Rousseau believed that humans are inherently good but are corrupted by society. In addition to his political theories, Rousseau also made significant contributions to education through his book Emile, or On Education, where he outlines his philosophy of raising children. His thoughts on individual freedom and the importance of community continue to resonate in modern discussions of democracy and ethics.