Book description
Philosophy for busy people. Read a succinct account of the philosophy
of Rousseau in just one hour.
In Rousseau we encounter a walking ego, a naked sensibility - his
arguments are both deeply stirring and deeply inconsistent. Yet whilst
his contemporaries Kant and Hume may have been superior academic
philosophers, the sheer power of Rousseau's ideas was unequalled in his
time. It was he who encouraged the introduction of both liberty and
irrationality into the public domain, lamenting how 'man is born free
but everywhere he is in chains'.
Here is a concise, expert account of Rousseau's life and philosophical
ideas - entertainingly written and easy to understand. Also included are
selections from Rousseau's work, suggested further reading, and
chronologies that place Rousseau in the context of the broader scheme of
philosophy. 'Well-written, clear and informed, they have a breezy wit
about them . . .I find them hard to stop reading.' New York Times
'Witty, illuminating, and blessedly concise' Wall Street Journal
'Each of these little books is witty and dramatic and creates a sense of
time, place, and character . . . I cannot think of a better way to
introduce oneself and one's friends to Western civilization.' Boston Globe
'A godsend in this era of the short attention span.' New York Times
Paul Strathern has lectured in philosophy and mathematics and now lives
and writes in London. A Somerset Maugham prize winner, he is also the
author of books on history and travel as well as five novels. His
articles have appeared in a great many publications including the
Observer (London) and the Irish Times. His own degree in philosophy was
earned at Trinity College, Dublin.
