Romanticism is a philosophical and artistic movement that emerged in the late 18th century, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the sublime. Key ideas include:

1. Emotion over Reason: Prioritizes feelings, intuition, and imagination over rationalism and logic.

2. Nature: Reveres nature as a source of beauty, inspiration, and spiritual renewal.

3. Individualism: Celebrates personal freedom, self-expression, and the uniqueness of the individual.

4. The Sublime: Focuses on awe-inspiring, overwhelming experiences that transcend ordinary reality.

5. Critique of Industrialization: Often critiques the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and urbanization.

Thinkers like Rousseau and poets like Wordsworth and Shelley exemplify Romantic ideals.

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Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778) was a key Enlightenment thinker whose ideas deeply influenced Romanticism. His philosophy emphasized:

1. Natural Goodness: Humans are inherently good but corrupted by society and institutions.

2. Social Contract: Legitimate political authority arises from a collective agreement, not force or hierarchy.

3. Emotion and Intuition: Valued feelings and personal experience over cold rationality.

4. Critique of Civilization: Argued that progress and modernity often alienate individuals from their true nature.

Rousseau’s focus on emotion, nature, and individualism made him a precursor to Romanticism. Works like *Emile* and *The Social Contract* reflect these themes.

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