Rousseau and the Modern Cult of Sincerity
- Arthur Melzer, "Rousseau and the Modern Cult of Sincerty," University of Texas, Austin, February 12, 2010.Arthur Melzer, one of the leading interpreters of Rousseau, explains how the idea of sincerity in Rousseau came to influence modern thought and politics more generally.
Occupy Rousseau: Inequality and Social Justice
- Library of Congress, Occupy Rousseau: Inequality and Social Justice, Video recording.The Embassy of Switzerland and the Library of Congress presented Occupy Rousseau: Inequality and Social Justice, with an international panel and display of rarely seen Rousseau-related objects. Featured speakers: Guillaume Chenevière, former Director,… More
Melissa Lane on Rousseau and Modern Society
- Melissa Lane, On Rousseau and Modern Society, Audio podcast.Modern society is synonymous with progress, isn’t it? Not according to the eighteenth century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. He argued that civilization is for the most part morally corrupting. Melissa Lane explains his position in this episode of… More
Reflections on Rousseau’s Second Discourse and Social Contract
- Montesquieu Forum Distinguished Lecture: "The Defect in the Natural Origin and the Problem of Law: Reflections on Rousseau’s Second Discourse and Social Contract," by Richard Velkley, Professor of Philosophy, Tulane University. November 16, 2009, Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL.Richard Velkley of Tulane University lectures on Rousseau at Roosevelt University in Chicago.
Intro to Rousseau, Discourse on Inequality (Author’s Preface, Part I)
- Video recording. Steven Smith, Yale Open Courses, "PLSC 114: Introduction to Political Philosophy," Lecture 18, 2006This lecture is an introduction to the life and works of Rousseau, as well as the historical and political events in France after the death of Louis XIV. Writing in a variety of genres and disciplines, Rousseau helped bring to fruition the political and… More
Intro to Rousseau, Discourse on Inequality (Part II) and The Social Contract
- Video recording. Steven Smith, Yale Open Courses, "PLSC 114: Introduction to Political Philosophy," Lecture 19, 2006.The discussion on the origins of inequality in the Second Discourse continues. This lecture focuses on amour-propre, a faculty or a disposition that is related to a range of psychological characteristics such as pride, vanity, and conceit. The Social Contract… More
Intro to Rousseau, The Social Contract, I-II
- Video recording. Steven Smith, Yale Open Courses, "PLSC 114: Introduction to Political Philosophy," Lecture 20, 2006The concept of “general will” is considered Rousseau’s most important contribution to political science. It is presented as the answer to the gravest problems of civilization, namely, the problems of inequality, amour-propre, and general… More