ABSTRACT

Rousseau's Social Contract is a benchmark in political philosophy and has influenced moral and political thought since its publication. Rousseau and the Social Contract introduces and assesses:

*Rousseau's life and the background of the Social Contract
*The ideas and arguments of the Social Contract
*Rousseau's continuing importance to politics and philosophy

Rousseau and the Social Contract will be essential reading for all students of philosophy and politics, and anyone coming to Rousseau for the first time.

chapter |4 pages

Introduction

chapter |12 pages

Rousseau, the Man

chapter |22 pages

Human Nature and Moral Psychology

chapter |14 pages

Man is Born Free

(Book 1, Chs 1–2)

chapter |19 pages

False Theories of the Body Politic

(Book 1, Chs 3–5)

chapter |25 pages

The Social Pact and Property

(Book 1, Chs 6–9)

chapter |31 pages

Sovereignty and the General Will

(Book 2, Chs 1–6)

chapter |20 pages

The Lawgiver, Culture and Morality

(Book 2, Chs 7–12)

chapter |29 pages

Government and Sovereign

(Book 3)

chapter |13 pages

Civil Religion

(Book 4, Ch. 8)

chapter |15 pages

The Social Contract in Retrospect