Product Description

One of the most profound thinkers of modern history, Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-78) was a central figure of the European Enlightenment. He was also its most formidable critic, condemning the political, economic, theological, and sexual trappings of civilization along lines that would excite the enthusiasm of romantic individualists and radical revolutionaries alike. In this study of Rousseau's life and works Robert Wokler shows how his philosophy of history, his theories of music and politics, his fiction, educational and religious writings, and even his botany, were all inspired by visionary ideals of mankind's self-realization in a condition of unfettered freedom. He explains how, in regressing to classical republicanism, ancient mythology, direct communion with God, and solitude, Rousseau anticipated some post-modernist rejections of the Enlightenment as well.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #83032 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Synopsis
One of the most profound thinkers of modern history, Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-78) was a central figure of the European Enlightenment. He was also its most formidable critic, condemning the political, economic, theological, and sexual trappings of civilization along lines that would excite the enthusiasm of romantic individualists and radical revolutionaries alike. In this study of Rousseau's life and works Robert Wokler shows how his philosophy of history, his theories of music and politics, his fiction, educational and religious writings, and even his botany, were all inspired by visionary ideals of mankind's self-realization in a condition of unfettered freedom. He explains how, in regressing to classical republicanism, ancient mythology, direct communion with God, and solitude, Rousseau anticipated some post-modernist rejections of the Enlightenment as well.

About the Author
Robert Wokler is based at the Whitney Humanities Center at Yale University, where he is a Senior Lecturer in Political Science and the Special Program in the Humanities.

Customer Reviews

Confusing at Times, But Who Said Rousseau Would be Easy?
Embarking on study again after many years away from education I have come to rely on the Oxford University Press, A Very Short Introduction To... series, as would a man with a broken leg on a pair of crutches. Nobody said philosophy would be easy, and how right they were. Rousseau is right up there as one of the most complex political philosophers of the bunch. His work as a champion of the French Revolution causing many people to have real issues with his work. He was equally lauded and reviled in his own lifetime, and this book gives a real sense of the ambiguities and complexities of the man and his mind. It's not always an easy read, and I found myself having to go back to sections and start again with this book. Having said that, the layout of the book and the thought which has gone into dividing up the material makes that a relatively easy matter. It is difficult to know how much of the difficulty I had with the subject was the author's way of writing, which at times I felt went a little too deep for such an introduction into the subject, and how much of it was the fact that Rousseau's work doesn't really allow for snappy soundbytes and easy to understand diagrams. Nevertheless, as ever, a good place to start if you're struggling with the subject.