The game in Rousseau’s Pedagogy: a reading of the sweets episode

Abstract

This article discusses the role of games in Rousseau’s pedagogy. Focusing on the book ‘Emile, or On Education’, the text aims to analyze why Rosseau places Emile in competitive exercises among the games and plays proposed by his tutor. If self-love emerges from comparison and competition, natural education should avoid this type of activity. On the other hand, as we can see in the episode analyzed, recreational and sporting activities, when well conducted, can develop physical and moral abilities. The result is sensitive rationality, self-love education, and the use of the “poison” (competition) as a “remedy.”