Title: The political philosophy of Rousseau,
Authors: Masters, Roger D.
Publisher: Princeton University Press,
Year: 1968
Subjects: Rousseau, Jean-Jacques, Contributions in political science.; Rousseau, Jean-Jacques,
Contents: Part I: The limits of politics -- 1. The natural development of the individual -- The character of the Emile -- The definition and objectives of a natural education -- the Emile as a treatise on education -- The Emile as a philosophic analysis of human nature -- The implications of pity: Human virtues and human affections -- 2. Rousseau's detachable metaphysics and the good life -- The character of the "profession of faith" -- Rousseau's natural theology and dualist metaphysics -- The conscience and personal morality: Natural religion as the solution to the problem of natural law -- The good life chosen by Emile: Rousseau's romantic solution -- The Emile as Rousseau's answer to Plato's Republic -- 3. The state of nature -- The character of the Discourse of inequality -- The state of nature: Man as a physical phenomenon -- Rousseau's concept of nature -- 4. The evolution of the human species -- Natural right as a standard of judgment -- The stages of political evolution -- The originality of Rousseau's political philosophy -- 5. The contradiction between the sciences and morals -- The character of the First Discourse -- The contradiction between enlightenment and society -- The structure of Rousseau's political philosophy -- Part II: The possibilities of politics -- 6. The nature of political right -- The character of Rousseau's political writings -- Justice as a human invention -- The tension between nature and society -- 7. The principles of political right -- The character of the Social Contract -- The principles of political right -- Freedom and order: the tension between politics and morals -- 8. The science of the legislator -- The founding -- The science of the legislator: maxims of politics -- Theory and practice in Rousseau's political thought -- 9. Conclusion: Some critical reflections -- The continuing relevance of Rousseau's political philosophy -- The failure of Rousseau's system -- Rousseau's most defensible work: the First discourse.