I have introduced my granddaughter to the great thinkers….she is not that thrilled right now but I hope she will come to appreciate what they did….

As most of my readers know I do love me some history…..and with these elections I have found some predictions, if you will, about the rise of the cosmopolitan Elite (concept from the Age of Enlightenment)……..

Back in the 18th century during the Age of Enlightenment….there was a philosopher named Jean-Jacques Rousseau….his insights went deep….he wrote about everything …….even the possibly of a Trump-like leader.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was one of the most influential thinkers during the Enlightenment in eighteenth century Europe. His first major philosophical work, A Discourse on the Sciences and Arts, was the winning response to an essay contest conducted by the Academy of Dijon in 1750. In this work, Rousseau argues that the progression of the sciences and arts has caused the corruption of virtue and morality. This discourse won Rousseau fame and recognition, and it laid much of the philosophical groundwork for a second, longer work, The Discourse on the Origin of Inequality. The second discourse did not win the Academy’s prize, but like the first, it was widely read and further solidified Rousseau’s place as a significant intellectual figure. The central claim of the work is that human beings are basically good by nature, but were corrupted by the complex historical events that resulted in present day civil society.Rousseau’s praise of nature is a theme that continues throughout his later works as well, the most significant of which include his comprehensive work on the philosophy of education, the Emile, and his major work on political philosophy, The Social Contract: both published in 1762. These works caused great controversy in France and were immediately banned by Paris authorities. Rousseau fled France and settled in Switzerland, but he continued to find difficulties with authorities and quarrel with friends. The end of Rousseau’s life was marked in large part by his growing paranoia and his continued attempts to justify his life and his work. This is especially evident in his later books, The Confessions, The Reveries of the Solitary Walker, and Rousseau: Judge of Jean-Jacques.

The Enlightenment philosopher’s attack on cosmopolitan élites now seems prophetic.

Source: How Rousseau Predicted Trump – The New Yorker

How interesting that these people…these writers saw more of the future than anyone these days…..we cannot seem to get past the next 140 character Tweet…….but as usual all goes unheeded so we can bitch about it at a later date.

Have a good day my friends…..