Jean-Jacques Rousseau's philosophy significantly impacted the Enlightenment, particularly through his ideas on individual freedom and social contract theory. His work emphasized the importance of natural human goodness and criticized societal constraints, which resonated with the Enlightenment thinkers who sought to challenge traditional authority. Rousseau argued that government should be based on the wills of the people, paving the way for democratic ideals. His thoughts on education and emotion also inspired later movements, reinforcing the value of human experience and sentiment in philosophical discourse.