Authors:
- Offers accessible and thoughtful interpretations of some of Rousseau’s major political works and how they may engage with current political issues
- Brings new attention to Rousseau’s reading of Plato, providing a counterweight to those who understand him breaking from Platonic tradition
- Examines the extent to which the findings of modern science tend to bolster or undercut some of Rousseau’s central claims
Part of the book series: Recovering Political Philosophy (REPOPH)
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Table of contents (7 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
About this book
Reviews
“Nelson Lund has written a deeply thoughtful and trenchantly argued introduction to Rousseau’s political philosophy. It is not an introduction in the usual sense. Beginners who enjoy thinking hard will find the book a good first approach to Rousseau, but long-time readers of Rousseau will find detailed and challenging arguments … . What his present study has achieved is remarkable.” (Paul Ludwig, Interpretation. A Journal of Political Philosophy, Vol. 44 (2), Winter, 2018)
“The book does include detailed analyses of many of Rousseau's more widely read texts … . This book is sure to be influential among all who are interested in Rousseau and political philosophy. … Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.” (R. C. Robinson, Choice, Vol. 54 (9), May, 2017)
“Do we need ‘a new introduction’ to a thinker as heavily scrutinized as Rousseau is? Nelson Lund shows convincingly that we do, and he succeeds in providing it to us. He imitates Rousseau himself in drawing on modern science and travelers’ accounts to illustrate Rousseau's understanding of what is natural. Most importantly, he follows Rousseau's indications about the significance of understanding Plato to grasp Rousseau.” (Christopher Kelly, Professor of Political Science, Boston College, USA)
“Lund reads Rousseau now through the eyes of Plato or Locke, now as a contemporary primatologist, anthropologist, or constitutional lawyer. Fresh and insightful, this book also makes Rousseau vitally relevant to a host of contemporary issues, from the role of women to the viability of the family to the social importance of religion.” (Arthur Melzer, Professor of Political Science, Michigan State University, USA)
“At last, Rousseau has found his reader. Lund shows clearly why Rousseau, rightly read, remains—like Plato, rightly read—an indispensable companion and guide for anyone seeking wisdom about enduring human questions—about human nature and culture, language and reason, society and religion, love and marriage, happiness and politics—and also about vexed dilemmas of modern times.” (Leon R. Kass, Professor Emeritus, Committee on Social Thought, The University of Chicago)
Authors and Affiliations
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Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, Arlington, USA
Nelson Lund
About the author
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Rousseau’s Rejuvenation of Political Philosophy
Book Subtitle: A New Introduction
Authors: Nelson Lund
Series Title: Recovering Political Philosophy
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41390-7
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham
eBook Packages: Political Science and International Studies, Political Science and International Studies (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2016
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-82342-3Published: 15 June 2018
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-41390-7Published: 17 September 2016
Series ISSN: 2524-7166
Series E-ISSN: 2524-7174
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XV, 282
Topics: Political Theory, Democracy, Political Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, Classical Philosophy