Rousseau, Jean Jacques

Discours Qui Remporté a L’Academie de Dijon, En l’année 1750, Un Discours sur les Arts et Sciences; [A Discourse on the Moral Effects of the Arts and Sciences]

Geneva/Paris: Chez Barillot & fils, but really Paris, Noël–Jacques Pissot, 1750. First Edition. Hardcover. 1st edition (in French), of Rousseau’s first acknowledged philosophical work. 1/4 calf, some rubbing, 4 leaves soiled at margins, but very good. Bound with 2 Voltaire plays: La Merope (Amsterdam [Arkstée & Merkus], 1744), [and] L’Orphelin (London [Jean Nourse], 1756). All 3 works are uncut. Reference: Gagnebin 2, variant. Very good. Item #492

So began the philosophy that Rousseau continued to expand upon for the rest of his life. Nature (in this case morality) versus society (in this case arts and science) would be a requisite theme in his The Social Contract (1762), and most of his other work. Here’s how it happened. Rousseau had read about an essay competition sponsored by the Academy of Dijon on the theme of, “Whether the development of the arts and sciences had been morally beneficial,” with the winning essay to be published in the magazine, Mercure de France. While walking to Vincennes (just outside Paris), Rousseau had an epiphany. He realized that he could take the con side (the less popular and more difficult argument to make, but the less competitive one) asserting that the arts and sciences were responsible for the moral degeneration of humankind, who were basically good by nature. He wrote the essay and submitted it for the prize, fearing it would meet universal dissent, but there was unexpected acclaim, not so much in accord with his position, but with admiration for his reasoning. It won him the prize and was subsequently published. Instilled with confidence, hailed as a professional writer and philosopher, and suddenly freed to follow his inclinations, he became a powerful Enlightenment voice on human nature and political theory.

Price: $2,000.00