This paper rebuilds the content of two principles that characterize the project of natural education which is exposed by Rousseau in Émile's second book. It investigates basically two questions: what is the content of such principles? On what philosophical and pedagogical groundwork does Rousseau support them? The first principle refers to the tensional distance of the human being as constructive of the infancy idea, and the second one embraces the negative character of natural education. The exposition of those principles intends to show how important it is that the adult protect the child in its initial development from the destructive invasion of vices and of the artificiality of society. Thus, the hard and complex task of the educator may be atenuated as the principles on which the idea of natural education rests is clear for them.
Child; Negative education; Human being; Wish; Natural need