About the book
Althusser dissects the leading Enlightenment philosopher
Althusser delivered these lectures on Rousseau's Discourse on the Origins of Inequality at the École normale supérieure in Paris in 1972. They are fascinating for two reasons. First, they gave rise to a new generation of Rousseau scholars, attentive not just to Rousseau's ideas, but also to those of his concepts that were buried beneath metaphors or fictional situations and characters. A new way of coming to terms with Rousseau's theoretical rigour, beneath his apparent reveries and sentimental flights of fancy, was here put to work. Second, we are now discovering that the 'late Althusser's' theses about aleatory materialism and the need to break with the strict determinism of theories of history in order to devise a new philosophy 'for Marx' were being worked out well before 1985 - in this reading of Rousseau dating from twelve years earlier, which introduces into Rousseau's text the ideas of the void, the accident, the take, and the necessity of contingency.
Editions of Lessons on Rousseau
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781784785574
- AltFormat
- ISBN 9781784785567
- EBook
- ISBN 9781784785598
Read an Excerpt
Althusser dissects the leading Enlightenment philosopher
Althusser delivered these lectures on Rousseau's Discourse on the Origins of Inequality at the École normale supérieure in Paris in 1972. They are fascinating for two reasons. First, they gave rise to a new generation of Rousseau scholars, attentive not just to Rousseau's ideas, but also to those of his concepts that were buried beneath metaphors or fictional situations and characters. A new way of coming to terms with Rousseau's theoretical rigour, beneath his apparent reveries and sentimental flights of fancy, was here put to work. Second, we are now discovering that the 'late Althusser's' theses about aleatory materialism and the need to break with the strict determinism of theories of history in order to devise a new philosophy 'for Marx' were being worked out well before 1985 - in this reading of Rousseau dating from twelve years earlier, which introduces into Rousseau's text the ideas of the void, the accident, the take, and the necessity of contingency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lessons on Rousseau about?
Althusser dissects the leading Enlightenment philosopher
Althusser delivered these lectures on Rousseau's Discourse on the Origins of Inequality at the École normale supérieure in Paris in 1972. They are fascinating for two reasons. First, they gave rise to a new generation of Rousseau scholars, attentive not just to Rousseau's ideas, but also to those of his concepts that were buried beneath metaphors or fictional situations and characters. A new way of coming to terms with Rousseau's theoretical rigour, beneath his apparent reveries and sentimental flights of fancy, was here put to work. Second, we are now discovering that the 'late Althusser's' theses about aleatory materialism and the need to break with the strict determinism of theories of history in order to devise a new philosophy 'for Marx' were being worked out well before 1985 - in this reading of Rousseau dating from twelve years earlier, which introduces into Rousseau's text the ideas of the void, the accident, the take, and the necessity of contingency.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Lessons on Rousseau?
Philosophy and Religion > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Social and political philosophy > Critical theory
Where can I read a sample of Lessons on Rousseau?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781784785574
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Lessons on Rousseau?
Louis Althusser
Who is the Publisher of the book Lessons on Rousseau?
Verso Books
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Lessons on Rousseau is available as paperback(ISBN 9781784785574) and altformat(ISBN 9781784785567) and ebook(ISBN 9781784785598)
Where can I buy Lessons on Rousseau online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Lessons on Rousseau from below
Where can I buy Lessons on Rousseau?