Historical Analysis of Physical Activity -- Sample Book Review

KIN 375 -- Historical Analysis of
Physical Activity (4.0 cr)

Sample Book Review
by Daniel Frankl, Ph.D.

Rousseau, J. J. (1979). Emile: or On education (A. Bloom, Trans.). New York, NY: Basic Books. (Original work published 1762).

Whether one is amazed with Rousseau's insight into what was many decades later to become behavioral, cognitive, and social learning psychology, or one is irritated by some of his disputable and destructive ideas, Emile is a fascinating reading experience.

To set forward his philosophy of education, Rousseau created Emile-a child that is tutored from birth to young adulthood away from his parents and other "destructive agents of society," in a natural environment. In the first of the five books, Rousseau stresses that education begins at birth. Early infancy is discussed in great detail. The young child's drives and needs are the focus. The second book takes Emile at about the fifth year, and conducts him to about the twelfth year. The first thing the child most needs to know and learn, according to Rousseau, is to suffer, since it is an inevitable part of life. The second is developing his strength. The most important rule of all education, he adds, is not to gain time but not to lose it. The child's education should derive from continual exercise of his senses through well-chosen plays or well-directed experiments, and not in studies or duties. The third book has to do with Emile approaching early adolescence. The principle that ought to guide the youth is that of utility. Instead of learning words in books let him discover, let him learn from his mistakes. Work, according to Rousseau, is an indispensable duty for social man. Thus, Emile will have his choice of decent trade. Puberty is the focus of book four. At that age the adolescent should be diverted from his sexual drives. The goal in his education is less to teach the truth than showing how one must go about discovering it. Therefore, Rousseau, as an example, would not join Emile into any religion, but he will put him in a position to choose one. In the fifth book, Emile, whose assiduous care by his tutor shaped his sound judgment and healthy heart, is ready to get married. Sophie, the young bride chosen by Rousseau, ought to be a woman as Emile is a man. Rousseau's advice to the young couple is, "Let each of you always remain master of his own person and his caresses and have the right to dispense them to the other only at his own will."

Among the many other volumes that can be found on any library's shelf, Allan Bloom's English translation of "Emile: or On education" is one of the most recent and most complete books. Contrary to other translations, no attempt was made by Bloom to edit or filter some of Rousseau's philosophies. That undertaking is left to the reader's courtesy and intelligence. Despite the fact that Emile contains pages that have outlived their day and many odd precepts, I would strongly recommend it to educators and young parents.

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