Сultivating dignity in Jean-Jacques Rousseau's social-ethical conception: gender aspect

Abstract

The article deals with the gender approach to cultivating dignity within the social-ethical conception of the prominent French Enlightenment philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Methodologically the gender differentiation in his system of education is based on the principles of ethical rationalism, utilitarianism, deism, and sentimentalism. Men and women are not and cannot be organized equally. Neither their characters, nor temperaments and duties can be equal, since it would contradict the laws of nature. Rational upbringing has to consider sex differences, but the principles and conditions of such upbringing should be common. A man and a woman are created for each other, depend on each other, need mutual recognition of each other’s dignity and value for the other. The best award for men and women for their worthy feelings and behaviour is the mutual respect, harmonic relationship, and the happy family