Rousseau attacks the social and political effects of the dominant forms of scientific knowledge

Contains the entire First Discourse, contemporary attacks on it, Rousseau’s replies to his critics, and his summary of the debate in his preface to Narcissus. A number of these texts have never before been available in English. The First Discourse and Polemics demonstrate the continued relevance of Rousseau’s thought. Whereas his critics argue for correction of the excesses and corruptions of knowledge and the sciences as sufficient, Rousseau attacks the social and political effects of the dominant forms of scientific knowledge.

Endorsements:

“Kelly and Masters are among the leading Rousseau scholars in the world today, and it comes as no surprise to find that the second volume of their masterful English edition of Rousseau’s works puts us once again deeply in their debt.”—Thomas L. Pangle, University of Toronto