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1. Describe Rousseau's childhood and early career.

Rousseau was the son of a craftsman. His mother died as a direct consequence of giving birth. He was raised lovingly and rather gently. When he was old enough he became an apprentice to an engraver, whereas his father was a watchmaker. However, the engraver was violent toward Rousseau to such an extent that the teenager ran away from his master and thereby lost his apprenticeship.

2. What is epistemology and how did it affect Rousseau's "Emile"?

Epistemology is the science of "how we know what we know" and "what knowledge is," so it involves making the distinction between what is false compared to what is true. Epistemology is also intended to help discern belief, imagination, ideas, and reality. When Rousseau wrote "Emile", the conclusion in European philosophy was that the senses are the basic means for humans to acquire knowledge. Other philosophers developing the scientific method involved themselves in matters of epistemology. Rousseau, coming out of this environment, advises mothers to focus upon nurturing the physical aspect of their children first because this will improve their abilities to perceive correctly and thereby to obtain knowledge through experience.

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