Terminology Tuesday: Rousseau, Jean Jacques (1712–1778)
French philosopher born in Switzerland whose influence on political theory and theories of education has been enormous. Rousseau saw human individuals as naturally good but corrupted by education and society. His political theory stresses individual freedom but ultimately subordinates the individual to the general will, which is established by a social contract allowing individuals to live together as citizens. Rousseau’s ideas influenced the French Revolution and helped shape the development of Romanticism.
Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (p. 103). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Richard Porter
Richard Porter is apologetics ministry leader at Calvary Church of West Hartford in Connecticut and a Chapter Director with Ratio Christi. Richard has studied apologetics for over a decade. Prior to his conversion, apologetics was a huge part of what God used to reel him in to the faith. From the popular works of Lee Strobel to the more academic defenses of Christianity by William Lane Craig, apologetics has always caught his eye. He has a passion for equipping Christians to defend the faith and hopes to one day be in full-time ministry. He also has aspirations to pursue an academic career of his own if the Lord permits. In his spare time Richard enjoys exploring New Testament studies and analytic philosophy. In addition to his intellectual pursuits, Richard also enjoys kettlebell and martial arts training – particularly Brazilian and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. He also has two sons that are being trained as young apologists and martial artists.