Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778) was a Genevan philosopher whose work fueled the Enlightenment and French Revolution, advocating that people are born inherently good but corrupted by civilization. He believed in a "social contract" based on the "general will," promoting liberty, equality, and direct democracy over selfish individualism.
Rousseau was a dear friend of Neuchâtel and had many connections to this pretty spot.