Rousseau and Geneva: From the First Discourse to The Social Contract, 1749-1762 / Edition 1

by Helena Rosenblatt

Overview

Rousseau and Geneva reconstructs the main aspects of Genevan political and religious thought in the first half of the eighteenth century. In this way Dr. Rosenblatt contextualizes the development of Rousseau's thought from the First Discourse through to the Social Contract. Over time Rousseau has been adopted as a French thinker, but Dr. Rosenblatt points out that he is, in fact, a Genevan thinker and explains that it was his relationship with Geneva that played an integral part in his development into an original political thinker.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521570046
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/08/1997
Series:	Ideas in Context , #46
Pages:	318
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.75(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments; Note on translation; List of abbreviations; Introduction. Rousseau in a Genevan context; 1. The formation of a 'citizen of Geneva'; 2. Rousseau becomes Rousseau, 1751–4: Geneva, doux commerce, and Rousseau from the First to the Second Discourse; 3. Rousseau and natural law: the context; 4. Rousseau and natural law: the Second Discourse; 5. The 'invisible chain': Rousseau and Geneva from the Second Discourse to the Social Contract; 6. The Social Contract; Epilogue; Select bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Helena Rosenblatt has given us a more sure picture of Rousseau.... Many...of the discrepencies in his writings are dispelled....Rosenblatt's best contribution is her careful examination of the political debates over constitution and natural law theory." History: Review of Books

"Themes and concerns typically associated with Rousseau's political thought are echoed and refracted in fascinating ways, in the historical context that Rosenblatt so ably brings back to life." Julia Simon, American Historical Review

"...Rosenblatt's book makes a valuable contribution to Rousseau scholarship and deserves to be read by all those who seek a fuller understanding of Rousseau as a political theorist and an active participant in Genevan poltics." Barry Wilkins, Philosophy in Review

"Roussesu and Geneva will have to be read by all Rousseau scholars, and it will provide to students one of the most lucid and scholarly introductions to Rousseau's political thought." Daniel Gordon, Journal of Modern History

From the Publisher