Long shot. I’m not a historian of pedagogy, but I’m trying to trace the idea of children being predisposed/inclined (natural abilities) towards certain subjects. For instance, Latin, some thinkers say there’s no point forcing children disinclined towards Latin to spend a lot of time on Latin, but instead let them focus on what they’re inclined towards. What is the history of this idea in pedagogy? When and where does it appear first?
I've only read a little Rousseau many years ago, should be interesting to pick him up again. Looking briefly at the scholarship on the person who wrote one of the sources that spurred this for me, seems people doubt any Lockean influence, but no word so far on Rousseau. Will be interesting to delve into this