Jean-Jacques Rousseau: On the Social Contract (1755)

At this meeting we will begin a discussion of On the Social Contract, which is the culmination of Rousseau's work in the realm of political philosophy. We'll be discussing only Book 1, which is about 10 pages, and so, if anyone wanted to briefly comment on Montaigne's On Solitude before we turn to the Rousseau, we should sufficient time.

Please read Book 1 of On the Social Contract before the meeting.

Rousseau wrote on a wide variety of subjects, but the group will first delve into his political theory. And, while the group will concentrate on Rousseau, we may also take a look at other writers of the French Enlightenment; i.e. Montesquieu, Diderot, and, although he was a bit earlier, Montaigne.

This is the translation of the Rousseau we will be using in the meetings: https://annas-archive.org/md5/9c70d9441bf70f896c87a1ccd668c0bd