While Rousseau didn't actually use the exact term, he heavily influenced the concept through his writings, particularly "Discourse on the Origin of Inequality" (1755).
In this work, Rousseau argued that humans in their natural state (before civilization) were inherently good and lived in harmony with nature. He believed that society and its institutions corrupted human nature, leading to greed, violence, and inequality.
Rousseau's ideas resonated with many intellectuals of the time, and the phrase "noble savage" emerged as a shorthand to describe this idealized image of the uncivilized, yet virtuous, individual.
However, it's important to note that the term wasn't initially meant as a compliment.
While Rousseau praised the innocence and virtue of "primitive" people, he also saw them as intellectually and morally inferior to civilized Europeans. He believed that they lacked the capacity for reason and self-government, ultimately needing to be brought under the rule of civilization.
Over time, the term "noble savage" became more widely adopted and took on different interpretations.
Some used it to romanticize and idealize non-Western cultures, while others used it to justify colonialism and paternalistic attitudes towards indigenous peoples.
Regardless of its intended meaning, the term has become a controversial concept with a complicated history. It is often seen as perpetuating harmful stereotypes and romanticizing a simplistic and idealized view of indigenous cultures.