The Social Contract
by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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See Also
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Censorship (Ready Reference series))
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Cyclopedia of World Authors, Fourth Revised Edition)
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Ethics (Ready Reference series))
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau (World Philosophers and Their Works)
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Critical Survey of Long Fiction, Fourth Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- First Published: 1762
- Type of Work: Philosophy
- Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy
- Subjects: Philosophy or philosophers, Social reform, Politics, France or French people, Slavery or slaves, Social issues, Individuality, Eighteenth century, Government, Democracy, Monarchy, Societies
The Work:
The Social Contract stands as one of the great classics of political philosophy. In three earlier works, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s basic theme had gradually emerged. Rousseau attacked the basic principles of Enlightenment thought, a philosophy that was dominant in eighteenth century Europe. Enlightenment thinkers sought to free philosophy and religion from the superstitions of the past. They supported the use of reason and science as the foundation for all belief and conduct. In contrast, Rousseau maintained that human understanding is not the sole domain of...
(The entire page is 2249 words.)
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Popular Questions
See all »- Explain the quote "Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains."
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- Examine the potential for tyranny in Rousseau's construction of the social contract.
