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The Social Contract and The First and Second Discourses

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The Social Contract and The First and Second Discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau delves into the philosophical underpinnings of society and governance. It explores the concept of collective sovereignty and the idea that legitimate political authority arises from a social contract. The work also examines how inequality, arts, and sciences influence human morality and the state of nature versus civil society.
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You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by philosophical explorations of human nature, society, and governance. It delves into thought-provoking ideas about the origins of inequality and the foundations of political systems, challenging readers to consider how individuals and communities can achieve true freedom and equality.

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A collection of three of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's most important political writings - "The Social Contract"; "The First Discourse (Discourse on the Sciences and Arts)"; and "The Second Discourse (Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality)". There are essays by major scholars.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's ideas about society, culture, and government are pivotal in the history of political thought. His works are as controversial as they are relevant today.

This volume brings together three of Rousseau's most important political writings: The Social Contract and The First Discourse (Discourse on the Sciences and Arts) and The Second Discourse (Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality). It presents essays by major scholars that shed light on the dimensions and implications of these texts.

Susan Dunn's introductory essay underlines the unity of Rousseau's political thought and explains why his ideas influenced Jacobin revolutionaries in France but repelled American revolutionaries across the ocean. Gita May's essay discusses Rousseau as a cultural critic. Robert Bellah explores Rousseau's attempt to resolve the tension between the individual's desire for freedom and the obligations that society imposes. David Bromwich analyses Rousseau as a psychologist of the human self. Conor Cruise O'Brien takes on the "noxious", "deranged" Rousseau, excoriated by Edmund Burke but admired by Robespierre and Thomas Jefferson.

Written from different, even opposing perspectives, these essays should convey a sense of the vital and contentious debate surrounding Rousseau and his legacy. For this edition, Susan Dunn has provided a new translation of the Discourse on the Sciences and Arts and has revised a previously published translation of The Social Contract.

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  • The Social Contract and The First and Second Discourses
    Jean-Jacques Rousseau's ideas about society, culture, and government are pivotal in the history of political thought. His works are as controversial as they are relevant today. This volume brings together three of Rousseau's most important political writings: The Social Contract and The First Discourse (Discourse on the Sciences and Arts) and The Second Discourse (Discourse on the Origin and Foundations...
    Paperback
    $3799
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300091410

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 February 2002

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Contributors:

  • Contributions by David Bromwich
  • Contributions by Robert N. Bellah
  • Edited by Susan Dunn
  • Contributions by Gita May
  • Contributions by Conor Cruise O'Brien

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 304g

Pages: 328

About the Author

Susan Dunn, professor of Romance Languages and the History of Ideas at Williams College, is the author of many other books, including The Deaths of Louis XVI: Regicide and the French Political Imagination and Sister Revolutions: French Lightning, American Light.

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