Writer doing philosophy the French way so to speak (8)

I believe the answer is:

rousseau

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'writer' is the definition.
(Rousseau is an example)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for rousseau that I've seen before include "Jean-Jacques -, eighteenth century French philosopher" , "Jean Jacques --, French philosopher" , "Painter, Henri - philosopher, Jean Jacques" , "Jean Jacques - - , author of 'Confessions'" , "Is Esau sour about the Swiss philosopher?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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