Rousseau: 'The Discourses' and Other Early Political Writings

by Jean-Jacques Rousseau , Edited by Victor Gourevitch

• ISBN13: 9780521424455
• ISBN10: 0521424453
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-07-13
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

The work of Jean-Jacques Rousseau is presented in two volumes, which together form the most comprehensive anthology of Rousseau's political writings in English. Volume I contains the earlier writings such as the First and Second Discourses. The American and French Revolutions were profoundly affected by Rousseau's writing, thus illustrating the scope of his influence. Volume II contains the later writings such as the Social Contract. The Social Contract was publicly condemned on publication causing Rousseau to flee. In exile he wrote both autobiographical and political works. These volumes contain comprehensive introductions, chronologies, and guides to further reading, and will enable students to fully understand the writings of one of the world's greatest thinkers.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Introduction	ix
Chronology of Jean-Jacques Rousseau	xxxii
A brief guide to further reading	xxxv
A note on the texts	xlii
A note on the translations	xliv
A note on the editorial notes and index	liii
Discourse on the Sciences and Arts or First Discourse	1	(3)
Preface	4	(2)
Part I	6	(10)
Part II	16	(95)
Replies to Critics
Letter to M. l'Abbe Raynal	29	(3)
Observations [to Stanislas, King of Poland]	32	(20)
Letter to Grimm	52	(11)
Last Reply	63	(23)
Letter about a New Refutation	86	(6)
Preface to Narcissus	92	(15)
Preface of a Second Letter to Bordes	107	(4)
Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality Among Men or Second Discourse	111	(3)
Epistle Dedicatory	114	(10)
Preface	124	(7)
Exordium	131	(3)
Part I	134	(27)
Part II	161	(28)
Rousseau's Notes	189	(43)
Replies to Critics
Letter to Philopolis	223	(6)
Reply to Charles-Georges Le Roy	229	(3)
Letter to Voltaire	232	(15)
Essay on the Origin of Languages	247	(53)
Idea of the Method in the Composition of a Book	300	(5)
Discourse on the Virtue a Hero Most Needs or On Heroic Virtue	305	(12)
List of abbreviations and textual conventions	317	(3)
Editorial notes	320	(97)
Index of editors, translators, and annotators	417	(2)
General index	419