Jean Marc Gaspard Itard
De l'éducation d'un homme sauvage
ou des premiers développemens physiques et moraux du jeune sauvage de l'Aveyron
"De l'éducation d'un homme sauvage" by Jean Marc Gaspard Itard is a scientific publication written in the early 19th century. The work discusses the education and development of a boy known as the "Sauvage de l'Aveyron," who was discovered living in isolation in the woods. It explores themes of human development, the effects of isolation, and the potential for education and civilization in individuals who have grown up without societal interaction. At the start of the text, Itard introduces the background of the young boy, emphasizing his state of neglect and the lack of acquired social skills and intellect due to his years of isolation. The narrative outlines how he was captured by hunters and taken to various institutions, where he displayed a fierce resistance to human contact and a preference for his previous wild lifestyle. Itard expresses his determination to understand and potentially educate this boy, illustrating his initial challenges and observations about the child's physical and mental condition. The opening sets the stage for a detailed examination of the methods and results Itard hoped to achieve through his educational efforts, reflecting on the broader implications for understanding human development.